Regional

Insects and wildflowers will be examined this weekend as part of the Burren in Bloom festival. Insects of Ireland – An Illustrated Introduction to Ireland’s Common Insect Groups by Stephen McCormack and Eugenie Regan, with illustrations by Chris Shields, published by The Collins Press, is one of two books being launched this weekend in Cassidy’s Pub, Carron. “About one third of our insect species are under threat of extinction, which is worrying because insects are vitally important in our environment. Eugenie and I both agree with David Attenborough who famously said, ‘If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse’,” said Stephen. Insects are the most diverse group of animals in Ireland but most are very small and escape notice. Identifying them accurately can be very difficult. The guide, by experts Stephen and Eugenie, …

Clare County Council was working on Wednesday to make a North Clare road passable after  heavy rain caused severe damage to it,  cutting off nine families. Thunder showers on Tuesday caused flash floods on multiple roads throughout the county making them temporarily impassable. When the water subsided, however, a segment of the L 10283 near Ballyvaughan, was washed away with it. The road is part of the route for the Burren Marathon which takes place this weekend. Local man James Keane managed to get to his home at Faunrooska but only after abandoning his car and using a tractor to cross the water-logged section of road. “The road is a cul de sac. There are nine houses beyond the section that was torn away. When I came home I just had to leave the car and get a tractor to bring us back across to the house because of the water but today [Wednesday] it was impassable even with a …

65,000 hairdressing professionals descended on Frankfurt for a spectacular event to see the OMC World Cup take place. With over 1,300 world class competitors from 50 countries local hairstylist Bridget Haren from Altamoda Hair in Ennis triumphed with a fourth placement with her ladies fashion look and as part of a four team in the ladies progressive cut and colour took the bronze third place world medal overall in the team event.

A NORTH Clare student, who found national fame when he sold his Leaving Cert notes on eBay, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to the University of Cambridge. Cillian Fahy was awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue an M. Phil. in European Literature and Culture at the university, the only Irish person to achieve this in 2014. The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK, to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. They are selected based on outstanding intellectual ability; leadership potential; a commitment to improving the lives of others and a good fit between the applicant’s qualifications and aspirations and the postgraduate programme at Cambridge for which they are applying. “The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world and it is an incredible honour to receive one,” said Cillian. “The scholarships are full-cost, covering all fees and maintenance, …

THE very first Fleadh Nua in Ennis was held in 1974 and, as the festival prepares to celebrate its 40th milestone, one family recalls those first days, having uncovered a set of photographs documenting its rich heritage. In 1961, the prominent public house on O’Connell Street, now known as Brogan’s, was owned by the Hogan family. Brian Hogan and his wife, Joan, ran the business there up until November 1976. It was then, as it is now, renowned for its traditional music and entertainment and, when the Fleadh Nua began in the town, it was one of the moments they recall with great fondness. The Hogans’ son, Senan, who lives in Kildysart, was given a stack of old photographs by his aunt, Kitty Heffernan from County Waterford, who used to travel to Ennis to help out the Hogan family during this busy festival period. It is believed that these photographs date to between the first Fleadh Nua or, at the …

IN one of the final acts of Ennis Town Council, funding has been arranged for an amenity scheme for the Rocky Road and water-based leisure facilities at Ballyalla, both a couple of miles on either side of the town. The council, in its last financial statement, has recommended that credits available in its current account be assigned to a number of areas, including specific funding of €22,697 for the Rocky Road and €25,765 for Ballyalla. The statement recommends that development contributions paid and due for recreation and amenity projects be assigned to recreation and amenity improvements, open space redevelopment and development at Ballyalla. The allocation of funding to the Rocky Road and Ballyalla was welcomed by all councillors. Other recommendations in the annual financial statement include that tenant purchase redemptions be assigned to improvement works on the housing stock of Ennis Town Council; that development contributions paid and due for car parks be assigned to the acquisition and improvement of …

AN investment of €800,000 is to be made towards the upgrade of the 45-bed Kilrush District Hospital, with the sod expected to be turned in early July. The work is being carried out, at the hospital, which employs 45 staff, to meet Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) guidelines. “We have decided to put a new wing on to the hospital, with 15 new beds, along with day rooms and other ancillaries. “We’re registered for 45 beds and we’re trying to keep to that level,” chairman of the entirely voluntary board of directors of Kilrush District Hospital Ltd, Gerry O’Malley, explained. “HIQA only want two people in any room now, so we’re now obliged to do that. Residents and the public are looking for private rooms as well. The job is gone out to tender since last Thursday and there have been eight expressions of interest. We’d expect to be starting on the first week in July and finishing by …

GORT  swimmer Ciara Doran will represent Ireland in the Canadian Age Group Championships later this year. This will be the 14-year-olds first time swimming for Ireland in the competition in Winnipeg from July 23 to 27. To make the Irish team Ciara had to achieve certain qualifying times, which she did at the National Senior Championships last month. “She is over the moon. This is a dream coming true for Ciara. This really makes the early mornings worth it for her,” said her dad Patrick Doran. “She wants to get to the Olympics and this is a huge step forward for her.”