Gort

THE number of horses abandoned in the Sliabh Aughty mountains has increased in the past year, according to a local charity. However, the number found dead is down significantly.During its recent annual census of abandoned horses on a commonage of 2,400 acres in the mountains, Forgotten Horses Ireland counted 139 horses, an increase from the 127 counted in 2012.The organisation believes the exact number of abandoned horses on this commonage may be higher but poor weather conditions on the day of the census hampered the count.Speaking about the results of the 2013 census, Rozmina Kachchhi, chairperson of Forgotten Horses Ireland, said, “In the winter of 2011/2012, 22 horses were found dead, mainly due to malnutrition. “By contrast, only three horses have died since the charity began working on the commonage in March 2012; two from gunshot wounds and one from unknown causes.“This transformation in the numbers of abandoned horses perishing on this large commonage is due to the constant monitoring …

A GROUP of transition-year pupils from Gort Community School recently graduated as ‘Laoch Áite’ (place heroes) from Ireland’s very first place-based learning programme in secondary schools.Twenty-five pupils took part in the Áitbheo (living place) programme, enabling them to take a much closer look at where they live and help them interpret their immediate environment in more depth.Interactive modules on landscape, built heritage, people and places in history, culture, biodiversity, conservation and biomimicry were delivered by guest tutors, providing a great starting point for the pupils to begin research into their own place. This initiative aimed to develop a strong sense of place in the pupils, which they will take with them into their adult lives.The programme, which was delivered by the Burrenbeo Trust, encouraged pupils to gain a greater appreciation for the rich heritage that exists around them by utilising the nation’s premier learning landscape, the Burren. Complementing this, a dedicated blog was created to allow pupils showcase their local …

DECIDING whether to identify himself as being from Gort or Kilbeacanty is a dilemma James Mahon has not faced in a while. In Chattanooga, he just says he is Irish. Sometimes even that seems too specific. Speaking to The Clare Champion from his new home in Tennessee, after a pause, he decides on Gort.

THIS weekend, the Galway One World Centre will host the sixth Galway African Film Festival (GAFF).Kinvara-resident Trisha Buddin is one of the organisers and has been involved in the festival since the beginning. The festival will present a series of contemporary African feature films, shorts and documentaries, all of which will be free of charge.

IN the region of 400 people are expected to take part in this weekend’s Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon. The event takes place on Sunday and entries are up on last year, according to organisers, who expect about 100 competitors from the UK and others from France.

  Fáilte Ireland will not make any further investment in Yeats’ Tower at Thoor Ballylee, the Seanad was told in recent days, because the number of visitors looking for information when the house was open “was too small to justify spending scarce resources on reopening it as a tourist information office”. The future of the historical landmark could be as part of a cultural and heritage centre, according to Senator Lorraine Higgins. The Seanad was told that Minister Leo Varadkar raised this possibility with Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan.Senator Higgins outlined to the Seanad details of the East Galway landmark and its importance from an historical, recreational and cultural perspective to the people of Kiltartan and Gort. “In 1965 for the centenary of Yeats’ birth, Ballylee was fully restored by the Kiltartan Society replete with a collection of first editions and items of furniture. The adjoining cottage was a tea room and shop. However, following the flooding of the Cloon River …

Students at Gort Community School this week unveiled a special project aimed at opening a dialogue about mental health among young people.

A SOUTH Galway councillor is still waiting for white smoke, following his request to issue an open invitation to newly-elected Pope Francis to visit Galway.It may take a few weeks before Galway County Council gets an official response to its request for the new Pope to ensure Ballybrit racecourse will again be the location for a papal visit – 24 years after an estimated 280,000 packed the same venue to see Pope John Paul II’s visit on September 30, 1979.However, Councillor Michael Fahy was very quick off the starting blocks at a recent county council meeting, when he proposed that an invitation should be extended to Pope Francis to visit Galway. The proposal was passed at the meeting.He made the plea in view of the strong connection formed by the people of Galway with the papacy arising from the historic 1979 visit. Having joined the thousands of people at Ballybrit racecourse that day, Councillor Fahy noted the young people who …