East Clare

Twenty two people set off from Tulla last weekend to Westport where  they set about completing the 42km Great Western Greenway cycle in aid of Brú Colombanus in Cork. The fundraising effort was the brainchild of Tulla woman Ronnie O’Keeffe, who was a guest at the “home from home” accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork in November and wanted to give back to the independent charity. The €5.5 million project, which was established by the Knights of St Columbanus, opened in October 2005 providing accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients in any of the Cork hospitals and the hospice. It provides 26 en-suite family rooms with supporting kitchen and lounges where families can meet others in similar situations and draw on their shared experiences.Ronnie was very grateful to the service when she needed it last year and wanted to give something back. She has always had an interest in cycling and together with 22 friends and …

THE big brother camera had to be removed from Bushy Island this past week after a nesting camera installed on Monday, June 10 last caused disturbance to the parents of the Mounsthannon white-tailed sea eaglets. Dr Allan Mee project manager of the Golden Eagle Trust confirmed the parents flew the nest this week following the installation of a nesting camera on Bushy Island.

HARBOUR Flights Ireland seaplane base was used by the Medevac 112 helicopter to airlift a Belgian tourist to the Emergency Department at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick following an equestrian accident last weekend.

A GROUP of five young East Clare people and their youth leader Mieke McMahon are to trace the footsteps of pilgrims on a 780km walk along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

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 …