Regional

STOP the press. Ennis’ newest newspaper is preparing for its next edition, though the staff may be a little younger than expected. Sixth class students of CBS Primary School are busy working on their Easter edition of The Scribbler, their new school newspaper. The publication is certainly proving to be popular, with the last edition selling out its 600 copy print run with a smaller reprint required. The newspaper is just one part of the school’s ambitious e-learning plan which will see a host of technological innovations launched over the next two years. There are 15 students involved in the paper, covering every aspect of newspaper production including journalists, typesetters, photographers, editors and press relations. Just recently the budding news hounds visited The Clare Champion where they got a first hand look at the newspaper industry. An edition of The Scribbler is released every term, with the students charging €1 a copy and profits from the paper are put back …

By CAROL BYRNE CLARE County Council has given the green light for the development of a new secondary school building in Tulla, subject to 11 planning conditions. The Board of Management of St Josephs Secondary School in Tulla applied for the planning permission, which will see the construction of a new two storey 650 pupil post primary school building in the East Clare village. The development comprises of a building with 26 specialist classrooms, 10 general classrooms, a P.E Hall, general purpose hall, kitchenette and servery, offices, staff areas, two class base special needs unit, sanitary and ancillary accommodation. The works also include the demolition of an existing derelict farm compound. Proposed site works were also to include the provision of 48 car parking spaces including accessible parking via new proposed vehicular in-out access from R462 public road including pedestrian access and drop-off and pick-up facilities. External works include covered bicycle racks, five ball courts, GAA playing pitch, SNU play …

By Jessica Quinn ENNIS has yet again missed out on its chance to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with next year’s event awarded to Sligo for the second year in-a-row at the weekend’s selection convention. Despite the disappointment, those behind Ennis’ bid have already set their sights on 2016, saying they are “very hopeful” that their “strong application” will bring success for the town and the county. Chairperson of the working group for the Ennis’ All Ireland Fleadh bid Micheál O’Riabhaigh acknowledged that while there is disappointment that Ennis did not get next year’s festival it was not unexpected. “It was always going to be hard to displace Sligo for a second year. 2014 is the first year for Sligo and there would have been an expectation that they would get it for the second year. It would have been surprising had we got it to be honest but we took the position of going for it as aggressively as …

ST Caimin’s Community,  School recently held a Friendship Week aimed at promoting positive relationships between students and tackling bullying. The approach adopted was for LC1 students to give presentations to junior cycle students. The older students reminded the younger ones to speak out about situations before they escalate and they offered advice on how to deal with bullying and its effects. Other activities during the week included a ‘Thought of the Day’ which was communicated over the school’s intercom. The objective of this was to give students a positive thought to keep their spirits up during the day. During the week LC1 students were visited by Colm Fagan from Aware. Colm spoke to students about how to recognise anxiety and about how to cope with it effectively. Posters, created by the students, were displayed around St Caimin’s to remind them to be aware of the support systems available in the school. There was positive feedback from both staff and students …

RECENT investments in the manufacture of new healthcare products at the Roche ( Ireland Ltd ) plant in Clarecastle, will support its parent company in retaining its position among the world’s top ten pharmaceutical companies. Ennis man, Gerry Cahill, who is managing director of the Clarecastle operation, said since the beginning of the year, they have been manufacturing Madapor, which is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and later on this year will commence making the newer drug Zelboraf, aimed at treating people with advanced melamoma skin cancer. The latest developments have been welcomed by the 245 Roche employees in Clarecastle, in addition to the significant number of contractors, who have been taken on to support the new products. Mr Cahill told The Clare Champion that one of the reasons Roche was selected by its parent company for the manufacture of Madapor and Zelboraf was because of the reputation which the Clarecastle site enjoys, as being a very reliable …

Kilkee Civic Trust (KCT) is usually associated with organising a summer programme of talks and music events, but the organisation is springing into action this weekend to support an important community effort. “Arising from so much terrible storm damage disfiguring our beloved Kilkee, we are putting out a call for assistance, at the request of our fellow KCT member, Mayor Paddy Collins, for everyone to assist in any way possible, to help by improving matters on the ground,” said spokesperson, Joseph McClosker. To this end, there will be a promenade clean-up, starting from 9am this Saturday. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Intrinsic Anchor, near Fisherman’s Corner, at the East End. This is an entire community initiative, and is being organised by friends of Kilkee, with the help of Kilkee Chamber of Commerce. It is important that suitable clothing is worn and that a mindset of safety is maintained throughout the clean-up.

By CAROL BYRNE THE competition is heating up as ten contenders for the inaugural East Clare Farmerette contest will give their best on stage performance this Saturday night in the hopes of becoming Farmerette Queen. The event takes place on March 15 in Powers Bar, Tulla with all proceeds from the night are to be used to upgrade the Oak ward at the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght. This is a 24 bedded ward catering for children with acute medical conditions, including respiratory, asthma, endocrinology, diabetes, neurology, cystic fibrosis and mental health issues. The ten girls competing for the crown come from all over East Clare and include: Cassandra (Cass) McKenna from Bodyke who is studying home economics and Irish in Sligo;  Aisling Callinan from Crusheen who works as a support worker for the Brothers of Charity in Ennis and who also plays football and camogie with Crusheen; Katie McInerney from Tulla who also is a camogie player with Tulla, …

Owen Ryan THERE has been interest in developing a crematorium at Shannon for  years and the site where planning permission has been granted for one is now going on sale. Two different parties are said to be interested in purchasing it and putting in place the first crematorium in the West of Ireland. Prior to this week’s Shannon Electoral Area meeting, Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that “the proposed sale of land adjacent to Illaunmanagh Graveyard to private speculators for commercial activity be ceased”. His motion also asked that the “land originally purchased from Shannon Development at a reduced price for the purpose of a burial ground in Shannon be retained for that purpose by the council.” In a written report, Clare County Council’s senior executive officer, Michael McNamara outlined plans for the site, and he indicated that more than one party is interested. “The original promoters of the crematorium are no longer interested in pursuing their …