Regional

  The recent series of dog attacks on sheep has provoked anger among farmers and there have been calls for pet owners to be more responsible. John Lynskey, chairman of the IFA’s National Sheep Committee, warned that owners who do not have their dog under control at all times must realise they could be held responsible for such an attack “with serious consequences”. He also urged hill walkers with dogs to ensure that they are fully under control at all times, as dogs running wild can terrorise a flock of sheep. He said up to 2.5m lambs will be born on 30,000 sheep farms across the country over the next four months. Sheep flocks are very vulnerable to dog attacks at this critical time, and especially during the night. Mr Lynskey said,”A dog attack on a sheep flock is extremely stressful and can inflict savage injuries, often fatal. Aside from the economic losses, for which dog owners can be held …

EIL Intercultural Learning has launched its ‘Travel Awards’ scheme for 2014, and the organisation is encouraging people across Clare to apply. Numerous Clare people have volunteered internationally with EIL in recent years including The Clare Champion’s Nicola Corless, Ballyea primary school teacher Emily Price and Killaloe’s Niamh Foley. EIL is Ireland’s oldest intercultural learning organisation, and is part of the worldwide non-profit Experiment in International Living (EIL) network. Since it was established in Ireland in 1964,  38,000 people have participated in EIL programmes, including study abroad, volunteering, language training and cultural immersion activities, as well as the annual Travel Awards. The Travel Awards scheme offers fully and partially funded opportunities to explore other cultures in different parts of the world. The 2014 Awards are now open for entries, and the closing date for applications is March 5. Clare people are encouraged to apply across a range of different categories, including special categories for 16-18 year-olds; access students; mature students (age 23+); …

By Dan  Danaher THE  Clare Labour Party has been hit with another defection of one of its most active female members in the county. In addition to stepping down from the Labour Party’s Central Council, Paula McNamara, Magowna, Inch, has also resigned from the party. The daughter of former Ennis Hospital Development committee chairman and Labour Party activist, the late Peadar McNamara, has also relinquished a number of administrative roles including public relations officer of the Ennis Labour Branch, county womens’ officer, and co-treasurer. This follows the departure from the party of Ennis town councillor, Paul O’Shea in September 2012 over  cuts to home and community care funding. Acknowledging her family were historically involved in the Labour Party, Ms McNamara admitted her decision to quit wasn’t an easy decision as it was where her ideals were laid. Ms McNamara said she tried to step down in November before the Labour Party annual conference but was encouraged to stay on. However, as the …

Rosie Keehan, daughter of Beagh musician Vincent Keehan, has been selected as the San Francisco Rose to compete in this year’s Rose of Tralee. The 22-year-old graduated from University of San Francisco last year and recently started a new job in the city. Although born and raised in San Francisco, Rosie and her brother, Michael, have strong connections with Ireland and their father, Vincent, returns regularly. As her party piece at the San Francisco Rose selection last week, Rosie sang Working the Streets, a song written by her father and recorded by Ann Kirrane. Rosie, and her family, will travel to Ireland in May where she will compete in the Rose of Tralee regional finals in Portlaoise.

THE North Clare economy will get a “huge boost” later this year after Lisdoonvarna was selected as one of the stage ends in this year’s An Post Rás. On Wednesday, it was revealed the 2014 of the race will travel anti-clockwise around Ireland, beginning in Dunboyne on Sunday, May 18 and featuring stage end finishes in Roscommon, Lisdoonvarna, Charleville, Cahirciveen, Clonakilty, Carrick-on-Suir, Baltinglass and Skerries. Billy Archbold was Rás stage-end organiser when it last stopped in the North Clare town back in 2008. He will be involved again this year. “This is a huge boost. It kick starts the the tourist season. So many people know Lisdoonvarna for the matchmaking festival, which is world-renowned but there are 11 other months of the year and there needs to be something else. There is a huge spin off publicity-wise in terms of radio, press and television coverage as a result of the Rás,” he said. Mr Archbold expects between 400 and 500 …

A YOUNG Brendan Muldoon left Currenrue five decades ago, but the Florida Monsignor’s links with the area have never dwindled. Though from the parish of New Quay in County Clare, Brendan and his family always felt more connected with nearby Kinvara and Galway, attending school there and playing for Galway inter-county teams at various grades. “We are from the parish of New Quay, about three miles west of Kinvara, right on the Clare and Galway border really. Most of the land is on the Galway side but the house is on the Clare side,” he states. Brendan was ordained on June 21, 1964 at St Patrick’s College in Maynooth. From there he returned to Galway, though to the other side of the bay. The young priest was appointed to Rossaveal where he spent four years in the Gaeltacht parish and was heavily involved in Coláiste Chonnacht in Spiddal before a spending a year ministering in Galway City. “Rossaveal was a …

FARMERS in North and West Clare may boycott the majority of marts in the county if Ennistymon Mart is sold, a local representative has said. The possible sale of the town-centre site to a discount retailer has provoked anger among the farming community in the mart’s catchment area of Ennistymon, Kilshanny, Doolin, Liscannor, Miltown Malbay, Mullagh, and Inagh. Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association will meet on Wednesday next to discuss what action to take in relation to the possible sale. “I expect that members will look at a peaceful protest outside Clare Marts in Ennis and maybe we will contact Aldi too because they should know that local people aren’t very happy about this,” said Tom Clair, vice chairman of the Ennistymon branch of the IFA. “There is outrage in the area. We want the mart here to stay open. If this goes ahead now, there won’t be a place for a farmer to park his bicycle in his …

By Peter O’Connell RESIDENTS in Seafield and Cloghauninchy are happy that as much temporary defence work as possible has been undertaken in advance of this weekend’s high tide, which is expected to reach 5.9 metres. Minister of State Brian Hayes visited West Clare last Friday where he saw firsthand the damage caused by the recent high tides and storms. “The work commenced last Wednesday. It’s on a temporary basis and Minister Hayes gave an assurance that he would look for funding. Some of it will have to come in from Europe. The defences put in place last week are temporary and not a long-term solution. The Seafield houses are protected by bags of crushed stone and rock armour,” Cloghauninchy Action Group chairman, Michael Neenan said. “I’d be fairly confident that it will hold out the sea but with a high tide of 5.9 metres, along with the waves we’ve had, it would be very hard to keep that out with …