Regional

THE hunt is on for a new location for the controversial Púca statue, after it was rejected in a public poll by the people of Ennistymon.  Interest has already been expressed by leading folklorist Eddie Lenihan who has been a long-time champion of the half-man, half-horse sculpture. The Crusheen man said his own village would make the ideal location, given its legendary links to the mercurial character reputed to lure people into all kinds of nocturnal adventures. “We have a place named Cathair an Phúca and there is a roundabout there,” the story-teller said. “What could be more appropriate? It’s an amazing coincidence really and maybe this is where the Púca was meant to be all along.” It remains to be see if Crusheen will fit the bill for the new location for the 2-metre high bronze figure, as Clare County Council announced its intention to find it an alternative home, somewhere in North Clare. Following a survey, which attracted …

THE late John O’Neill had been a great father and grandfather, his son Graham told mourners at his funeral in Lisdoonvarna this morning. Graham said that John’s mother had been a nurse in London during the Second World War and that “her sense of duty to others and confidence in her own ability to help was something that must have rubbed off on her only son”. He said that even as a boy John had a certain charisma and likeability. “His proud sister Marie told me recently of a time that he stood up to a teacher that was heavy-handed in punishment of a classmate. He received a punishment himself, but it marked him out as someone with a good heart and a brave disposition. John’s school friends remember his enduring kind demeanour, someone who could resolve dilemmas in childhood games and troubles with humour. He was always quick to see the funny side.” Friends he made as a youngster …

Owen Ryan heard warm tributes to the late John O’Neill who was killed last Friday in Lisdoonvarna MANY tributes have been paid to the late John O’Neill since his death last Friday, with people in Lisdoonvarna describing him as very friendly, likeable and holding a wide range of interests. John was in his late seventies and was predeceased by his wife Christine, who died last year. He is survived by his two sons, Seán and Graham, and a number of grandchildren. John and Christine had run a prominent B&B on St Brendan’s Road in Lisdoonvarna, while it was also home to a painting school. Heather Crowe, who runs the Ritz Hotel and Bar in Lisdoonvarna very close to the O’Neill’s home said the death had caused huge shock in the area. “There has been a huge cloud over the town since this news last Friday morning. “John was a well respected man, the family are well respected in the town. …

A LARGE number of Doolin Coast Guard members remain uncertain of their future involvement in the service due to a lack of direct contact from the national Coast Guard, writes Dan Danaher. While a number of local Coast Guard volunteers were involved in the search for a body on Sunday and Monday, one well placed source claimed the unit only had eight members earlier this week – four fewer than when it was stood down from operations last November. Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has asked the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) to begin the process of reconstituting the Doolin Coast Guard unit, which was stood down from operations and training activities on November 2 last after the resignation of six volunteers. The decision was made following receipt of a report and recommendation from independent mediator, Kieran Mulvey who had been called in to speak with all protagonists. The report advised that certain relationships within …

AN Ennis secondary school has featured in the top three feeder girls’ schools for third level progression in the country. Coláiste Muire, a non fee paying school, features in the top four of all schools in the recently released Irish Times feeder school tables. The school recorded a 115% progression rate to third level in the list which included the total number of college registrations from schools including those who completed their Leaving Certificate prior to 2021. A total of 138 students at the Coláiste sat their Leaving Certificate in 2021, while the total number of Coláiste students to accept a CAO place in that year was 159. According to the statistics, NUIG was the most popular third level institution for Coláiste students with 37 enrolled there last year. The second most popular college was UL with 31 students enrolled. Students were also accepted to UCD, TCD, DCU, St Angela’s, Queens’ University Belfast, TU Dublin, Galway – Mayo IT, IT …

FORMER Tyrone footballer Cathal McCarron will be at Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon at 4pm on Saturday, where he will be speaking about gambling addiction. McCarron was a sub when Tyrone won the 2008 All-Ireland, while he won four Ulster titles and was twice nominated for an All-Star, before his retirement in 2019. Just over five years ago he released his autobiography Out of Control (which was ghost-written by Clare journalist Christy O’Connor), in which he was candid about his gambling addiction and the dark places it brought him to. The book was an explosive read, certainly one of the most memorable GAA autobiographies, in which he recounted what was a chaotic lifestyle. He says he likes to give talks like the one on Saturday, and he feels it’s important to keep drawing attention to problem gambling. “I don’t do as many as I’d like, but hopefully I’ll get more time to do them. The way things are going the …

David Brady-Browne has written a book on the CofI graveyard in Tulla. Here he explains the value of grave memorials as a substitute record repository for genealogists and historians ON A mild spring day in 1969, the last burial at the Church of Ireland graveyard in Tulla took place, and with it closed a chapter of the cultural history of East Clare.  Like many old graveyards in Ireland, Tulla is closed to burials but still welcomes visitors. I first visited the graveyard when researching my ancestors buried in it. There they lay, surrounded in death by those who had surrounded them in life. Families such as Molony, O’Callaghan, Brady-Browne, Murdock, Powell and Gore, as well as many others were prominent in the social and commercial life of Tulla for centuries, but their names mean almost nothing to present generations.  There are over 40 identifiable memorials in the graveyard, representing over 70 burials, in addition to around seventy unmarked interments. Many …

A CLARE man charged with the murder of a pensioner in Lisdoonvarna has been further remanded in custody, writes Ronan Judge. Thomas Lorigan (32), of no fixed abode, appeared at Ennis district court this Wednesday via video link from Limerick Prison. Lorigan is charged with the murder of John O’Neill (78) at St Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna at a time unknown between January 6 and January 7. The charge against Lorigan is contrary to Common Law. During the brief hearing, the accused spoke only to confirm that he could see and hear the court proceedings. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court the matter had first come before the court on Saturday, January 8. Sergeant Lonergan said directions from the director of public prosecutions (DPP) are already known and that a book of evidence is awaited in the case. The DPP has directed trial on indictment. The sergeant said it was the State’s application to have the accused remanded in custody for …