Regional

A KILRUSH nursing home has celebrated a quarter of a century of providing care to Clare’s older citizens. St Theresa’s Nursing Home opened its doors, under the direction of Seán and Nora Grogan, on June 18, 1996, with the aim of giving residents a home away from home. Located on the Kilkee Road, St Theresa’s was designed by Séan and Nora Grogan as a purpose-built facility. Nora’s daughter Yvonne returned to Kilrush after a number of years nursing in London, Dublin and Galway. A specialist in palliative care, Yvonne came back to work alongside her mother to ensure the family ethos continued. Fr Pat Larkin who was curate in Kilrush in 1996 and is now Parish Priest celebrated mass for staff and residents. In March of this year, Nora sadly passed away and, as part of the 25 year celebration mass, Fr Pat remembered the commitment and dedication of both Nora and the late Séan. “Due to the restrictions we …

A NEW book celebrating the creative synergies that exist between poetry and the visual arts will be launched in Ennis in September. The Record Break Poetry Art Publication comprises 12 poems and 12 corresponding images of original visual artworks and has been compiled by Sinéad Ní Síoda. Since opening The Record Break seven years ago, Sinéad has built a community of artists, writers and musicians who gravitate towards the shop for its coffee, its collection of vinyl albums and its dedication to contemporary culture. “I hold an art exhibition annually at The Record Break,” Sinéad explained. “In 2019, we brought together 12 artists and 12 poets, and at the end of the year I decided to document the exhibition. “Creative Ireland sponsored the book and just as lockdown was setting in, we managed to get the photos taken of the pieces on the walls of the closed shop.” The relationship between the images and the poems is one that Sinéad …

CONCERNS over a landmark property in East Clare, which remains empty despite being earmarked for sheltered housing for the last two decades, are being addressed, the Council has pledged. The issue of Mountshannon House was raised at the AGM of the Killaloe Municipal District when Councillor Pat Burke sought an update, after flagging the matter previously last April. At that time, councillors heard that while the property had been bought by the Respond Voluntary Housing Association, in 2002, thanks to a Council-supported loan, the proposed accommodation had not materialised. Speaking last week, Councillor Burke said that with developments on the way for The Old Rectory building, which is set to become an interpretative centre for Inis Cealtra, there is growing concern about Mountshannon House. “The issue hasn’t gone away,” he said. “In recent times, I’ve gotten a number of requests from members of the community who want an update on what’s going on. “There’s a lot happening with the rectory …

RECORD livestock prices are set to continue at Sixmilebridge Mart, due to the increase in ringside buyers and online activity, according to the new manager of the facility. Quin native Joe Clune has taken the reins from New Inn’s Seán Ryan, who retired this week after a decade managing the mart. “One of the biggest aims now is driving the mart forward both online and around the ring and providing a good service for the local community,” said Mr Clune. “We had an exceptionally big sale last Saturday and cattle prices are very strong. People have great confidence and with online options, we’re getting buyers logging on from as far away as Northern Ireland, so it’s now time for local farmers to avail of this opportunity to get top prices for their cattle.” Ringside access has been allowed at marts across the country since May and the Saturday sales in Sixmilebridge have been very busy. “Numbers are limited at the …

A KILFARBOY couple have come together with eight other ‘dyed in the wool’ sheep farmers to champion a rare Irish breed and to campaign for a fairer price for their produce. Kieran and Bernie Shannon are among the founding members of The Galway Wool Co-op, who overcame the challenges of lockdown, to champion the merits of the Galway sheep. On Saturday last (June 26), members got to meet in person at Athenry Mart, when they took part in a ‘Wool Meitheal’ and sell their wool to a major processor in Donegal. “Wool prices are shockingly low,” Bernie explained. “An awful lot of wool is now coming in from China and our aim is to get a better price for Galway wool.” The award-winning farmers have 37 sheep currently and also farm suckler cows on their 100 acres. Kieran, a fourth generation farmer, said that while breeds like the Galway sheep produce high quality snow-white wool, many buyers are no longer …

AN ANTIQUE piece of furniture linked to a man who conspired, along with the legendary wisewoman Biddy Early, in a notorious East Clare murder is to go on display in Kilkishen next month. The blanket box, a large wooden chest, belonged to a James Mac Namara who was accused, along with the husband of the legendary Feakle healer, of murdering their landlord. The item, which was salvaged by local Kilkishen historian Cathal O’Hagan, has been carefully restored and will go on display at the Kilkishen Cultural Centre. “I think it’s fitting on the 161st anniversary of the murder that people would be able to see this,” Mr O’Hagan said. “According to lore, this historic blanket box came out of the farmhouse of James Mac Namara who one night in October 1860 with Biddy Early’s husband Tom Flannery and three other evicted tenants and, with help from Biddy, killed the landlord.” Legend has it that Biddy, who foretold Mr Sheehy’s demise …

AN Ennis man has completed a mammoth ultra-cycling race of 804km, taking second place after a gruelling 31 hours non-stop in the saddle. Noel Cusack took part in the Joe Barr 500, an 800km race around Donegal and Northern Ireland with a three-person crew following behind to give him food and hep with navigation along the way. He described the race as an “epic battle”, which saw him break his previous 800km record by more than six hours. The race started in Derry at 9.23am on Saturday, June 12, with each competitor leaving at three minute intervals. “We raced over to Donegal before tackling all the coast line and mountains areas before finally sprinting through Sperrin mountains in Derry to finish,” Noel told The Champion. “The riders cannot race together, we have to be a certain distance apart from each other until you make your move to overtake or pull away if possible,” he said. His support crew kept him …

A MEMORIAL inscribed with the message ‘Inár gCuimhne go deo/Always Remember’ marking the County Clare Nursery (Mother and Baby Home) has been unveiled in Kilrush. The memorial to the women who gave birth in the Kilrush-based County Nursery, the children who spent their lives there, and the infants who died there, was unveiled at Toler Street in the west Clare town by outgoing Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard, in the presence of Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling. Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in January of this year, Clare County Council apologised for its role in the County Nursery, which was owned and financed by Clare County Council during its decade of operation, 1922-1932. Clare County Council acknowledged, “with profound regret”, its role in the failure to meet the care needs of women and children resident in the County Nursery. As part of addressing its role in …