Regional

A GALWAY man is to climb the world’s highest mountain later this year in aid of Pieta House West. Peter O’Connell, from Killererin in Tuam, now plans to embark on an expedition to climb Mount Everest in April 2013. This entire expedition is self-funded and all funds raised will go directly to Pieta House West.

PREPARATIONS for the annual Killaloe Ballina St Patrick’s Day parade are well underway and having paraded out 27 floats in last year’s celebration, the community of South-East Clare are hoping to match, if not better, this performance for 2013.

WORK is continuing on preparations for the 2013 St Patrick’s Day parade, with a launch due to take place next Wednesday at Hasting’s Cottage, close to Illaunmanagh Cemetery.

The death took place recently of one of the founding members of Clare Fianna Fáil and Raheen Hospital Support Group.

  BUDDING archaeologists and historians in North Clare will have the chance to take part in an archeological dig this Saturday at Killilagh Church in Doolin. The Doolin Heritage Committee and the Save Killilagh Church project are behind the dig, which begins at 10am and continues until 4.30pm. Long-time Doolin resident and commercial archaeologist Joseph McCooey is one of the organisers. “The dig will be carried out by a licensed archaeologist. The reason for the dig is that builders will be working on a window in the church before the end of the month. They will be putting up scaffolding so before they come on site, we have to make sure anything they do won’t interfere with the archaeology of the site. This dig is open to the public. It is a good way for members of the public to meet with the committee. The archaeologist in charge will be Graham Hull from TVAS [archaeological consultants],” he explained.While the dig …

FRESH concerns have been expressed about lead in the county’s water supply as preparations are being made to tighten acceptable levels across Europe.

More than 350 young musicians aged between six and 20 years will take to the stage in the sixth annual Coole Music Orchestra Festival in Gort. The musicians will make up 10 orchestras participating in the festival that takes place on Sunday, March 3 in Gort Community Centre.

TWENTY housing estates in Shannon haven’t been taken in charge by Clare County Council, it was revealed at last week’s town council meeting.