Regional

A PITCH is being made for the provision of shelters around the playing fields of an Ennis amenity to protect exposed sports fans. Ennis’ Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Murphy says sports fans are being “drenched” on the sidelines at Active Ennis, John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged that funding be sourced to provide a large dugout or small stand to provide shelter on the perimeter of the pitches. “Provision of these would give much needed shelter from the elements to players and management of teams as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled,” he urged. He said signage should be added to indicate that priority be given to vulnerable people to use the shelter. The councillor recalled his own first-hand experience of being on the side-lines recently. “The rain was falling and it really opened my eyes to what it could be like in December or …

TO celebrate the 50th anniversary of Derg Credit Union in Killaloe and Scariff, a former board member Jim O’Brien, launched his historical account of the institution at the Killaloe Hotel, writes Conor Clohessy. While no longer a board member, he currently serves as a volunteer on the promotions and development committee. He works as a freelance journalist. Jim was approached about compiling the piece of work by two of the longer serving members of the board, William McLysaght and Michael Cleary, who were both present at the founding of Derg Credit Union in 1971. Jim said: “They asked if I would write this as part of the commemoration, and it was a huge amount of work. I had to read fifty years’ worth of minutes, which was time-consuming, but it was inspirational to see what these people have achieved.” The momentous feat began with the reading of said minutes last March, which was an endeavour that had be completed within …

FOR the first time since the pandemic struck, the Adoration Chapel in the Town Centre has reopened. Parish priest Father Arnold Rosney said that it had been a long spell of closure. “It has been closed since Covid started in March of 2020. We had no choice but to close it. “Even when the country reopened we weren’t in a position to reopen it because the room is quite small. Sadly we had to suspend morning mass there, which was upsetting for many people, but we had no choice.” He said it is great to be able to open the doors once again. “We’re thrilled to be able to open it today. What we’re doing is opening it from 2-5pm from Monday to Friday, for private prayer to begin with. Then, all going well, from December, we’re hoping to have Adoration resuming. “That would mean that people who were normally on the roster or new people, can sign up for …

A CLARE hotel has received national recognition for a renewable energy project which sees it produce its own green energy. The Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon were among the winners in the SEAI Energy Awards. The hotel took home the trophy in the most ‘Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy’ category for their hydroelectric turbine project that provides clean, renewable hydro energy to the hotel. Michael McCarthy, General Manager, Falls Hotel, said, “We are delighted to receive this recognition, especially given the huge investment we have made with our hydroelectric turbine. “We are extremely proud of this award. With 145 bedrooms, a leisure centre and a spa complex, we went from having a large carbon footprint to being carbon neutral in five years. We love knowing that we are powering the hotel with a clean, sustainable energy source.” Being based in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark hotel owners the McCarthy family were conscious of trying to …

LIKE most entertainers, Norma Manly couldn’t wait to get back to singing in front of a live audience, writes Dan Danaher. The Ballina singer/songwriter had to be content with online performances during the Covid-19 lockdown. However, she feels there is no comparison between performing live and online. “Watching lockdown sessions on line was fantastic. However, you have to be at a live gig to experience the atmosphere and the energy. When I am buying music, I want to listen to live performances. “You can’t beat a live gig. I have met so many people at live gigs who are now lifelong friends. You share a lovely bond, even though people have different tastes. I love being introduced to new music.” She says the return of live audiences is very welcome following Covid-19 restrictions that were previously imposed since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. “When you are singing, you are trying to create something. You can feed off …

SAINT Flannan’s Cathedral will reverberate to the sound of music again this Friday night at 8pm when it hosts a fundraising community concert, writes Dan Danaher. Cathedral Dean, Vicar Rev Paul Fitzpatrick, is very happy to acknowledge the generous voluntary support of all the performers, supporters of the cathedral and wider community. Rev Fitzpatrick said there is no shortage of extraordinary goodwill, talent and commitment towards the cathedral. Rev Fitzpatrick and Dean Rod Smyth were keen to organise an event that would reward local community groups. This follows in the footsteps of a programme of musical evenings that were streamed live from St Flannan’s Cathedral during the month of May thanks to the support of Dean Rod Smyth and Rev Fitzpatrick along with members of the St Flannan’s Vestry. The Sunday Selections proved to be a big hit in the local community. All the proceeds from Friday night’s concert will be donated to the Killaloe Community Enhancement Group and the …

WHILE there was widespread shock following the standing down of the Doolin Coastguard Unit on Tuesday, there have been issues around its operation for a number of years, writes Owen Ryan. After six people resigned, the Irish Coastguard moved to shut down the unit this week, even though there were still 12 volunteers remaining, and it had been one of the busiest units in the country. One source that is close to the Doolin Coastguard said that claims of “bullying and harassment” that led to the departure of six volunteers from the unit was not caused by the 12 remaining members. A person close to the Unit said that problems have been festering since well before the death of Caitriona Lucas in 2016. He said that after a falling out between members who had once been quite friendly, other people involved took sides, which he said “shouldn’t have happened”. He also said that some of those who have just resigned …

Glowing tributes were paid to an Ogonnelloe solider at his Funeral Mass on Sunday following a tragic accident while on holidays in Spain a few weeks ago, writes Dan Danaher. There were heart-rending scenes when Private Gerard McMahon (24) was laid to rest with full military honours in the New Cemetery, Ogonnelloe. His sudden death came about a week after he had just returned home from a six-month tour of duty with the 63rd Infantry Group in Syria. Speaking at his Funeral Mass, the chief celebrant, Reverend Father Paul Murphy, the chaplain to the 1st Infantry Battalion in Galway recalled how one of his friends summed up the deceased. “One of his best friends said: ‘he didn’t say much, but you could write a book about him”. In a moving tribute, his mother, Carmel, recalled their lives changed forever on October 15 when they got the dreaded phone call that no parents wants that their beautiful son, Ger had died. …