Regional

CONSCIOUS of the difficult economic times facing us all, The Banner GAA have clubbed together with an initiative to keep the elderly in Ennis warm this winter.Collaborating with St Flannan’s College and ClareCare, bags of timber are being distributed to many elderly citizens. Committee members, parents, mentors and players from juvenile, minor and senior football and hurling teams worked hard over the weekend to fell, cut, chop and bag the Beech trees kindly donated by St Flannan’s. “I am delighted with the way our club is giving something back to the community,” said John Dingley, club chairman.“It is fantastic to see mentors and players enjoying themselves and coming together in such a positive way. The Banner has enjoyed a great increase in support and membership and this one small way we can express our appreciation for that support, ” he continued.On Saturday, the Banner folks cut and bagged over 400 bags of Beech wood. Much of the wood will be …

Opinions are divided in Killaloe about the long-term impact of an €140,000 investment on new pedestrian crossings, improved footpaths and refuge islands, which have resulted in a temporary loss of business for some traders during construction work.Clare County Council insist the overall scheme will enhance the environment for residents and visitors once the works are completed.Local traders in the southern end of the town, who claim they have suffered a drop in trade due to the loss of set down parking at Royal Parade, have questioned the timing of the works during the busiest time for retailers in the lead up to Christmas.The council explained that completing this work before the end of the year was a specific requirement of the project, which is funded by the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Town Scheme. It stated the works, which started a number of weeks ago, are now nearing completion and predicted that the remaining traffic management facilities should be removed …

The recent temporary closure of Broadford Post Office and the permanent closure of the local garda station look set to generate some heated discussion at a local meeting in the new year.Angered by the shock closure of Broadford Garda Station, a meeting of the community alert group will be held on January 4.It is expected the Broadford Action Group, which is lobbying for the re-opening of the local post office, will also voice its concerns at this meeting if An Post management hasn’t provided a definite date for the return of postal services to the village.Group chairman P J Mason confirmed he had another brief discussion with An Post officials earlier this week, who were still unable to state when the post office would return.Broadford Post Office closed its doors on Friday, November 10 last when customers were advised to conduct their usual business at Tulla Post Office.Mr Mason pledged the group will use the community alert meeting to discuss …

LAST week Shannon Town Council awarded a civic reception to the Shannon Order of Malta in recognition of their 40 years of work, while the 2012 Community Grants were allocated and the Liosta na Laochra award winners for 2012 honoured.Liosta na Laochra is a scheme that honours outstanding achievements by local people. Mayor Michael Fleming paid tribute to all who were nominated for the awards and said, “It’s a pity that one or two were missed out on. It’s not down to Shannon Town Council it’s up to people to make a nomination to the council and then we look at it. Unfortunately, there were one or two missed this year but hopefully we’ll get back on top of it next year.”Five of this year’s winners are members of the Shannon Meteors Trampoline Club, Jonas Landrock, Callum Minter, Cillian McMullen, Shannon Minter and Caoimhe Garrett, all of whom were winners at the All-Ireland Trampoline Championships.Athlete Karl Fitzmaurice was honoured after …

SENATOR Tony Mulcahy has said the construction of new hangar facilities in Shannon could begin as early as next year, as part of efforts to attract aviation businesses.He said he received details from the Department of Finance of a seven-year government-backed accelerated capital allowance scheme, which will promote the construction of certain aviation-specific facilities at Shannon.“It is abundantly clear from a report prepared by the management of Shannon Airport and assessed by KPMG, that the viability of Shannon Airport and the surrounding businesses cannot be justified through passenger growth alone,” he said.“By introducing a capital allowance scheme, the Government is underlining its commitment to marketing Shannon as a one-stop-shop for all airline needs, including use of hangars to house aircraft and pilot-training but primarily for the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector. “It is clear that Shannon is well positioned to develop as an aviation services centre, considering the availability of zoned development lands, established expertise, geographical location on …

Daring volunteers will be going to hell and back as they fundraise to maintain counselling services at East Clare Community Co-op and they are calling on others to get involved in the challenge. A group of six brave East Clare people will take on Hell and Back Ireland’s toughest 10km challenge, which was specially designed and tested by an ex-member of the Elite Army Ranger Wing. The group will push their way through a river, struggle through a mud avalanche, wade through a swamp, crawl through barbed wire, scale walls and battle an obstacle course on the grounds of Killruddery Estate, Bray, County Wicklow, in the new year. The initiative has come about following a threefold increase in the numbers using the counselling service at the Scariff-based East Clare Community Co-op, in the past year. The increase has come at a time when the grant aid supporting the provision of the service has been cut and so to avoid having …

Family, neighbours, friends, musicians and fans of the late, great Robbie McMahon came through the Cross of Spancilhill this past week to pay their respects to the legendary singer and songwriter. Funeral mass was held for Robbie on Sunday last at Clooney Church, with burial afterwards in Kilraghtis Cemetery, Barefield parish.It was with great sadness that the East Clare Community learned of his passing on December 13. A Spancilhill man through and through, Robbie was an institution in his local community and was held in high esteem across the county and further afield, as was evident from the massive attendance at his funeral over the weekend. His funeral mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Collins PP Clooney Quin, Fr Micháel McInerney AP, Fr John Hogan, Fr Joe McMahon, Fr Dan Spaight and Fr Paddy Conway. The first reading was read by Labhrás Ó Murchú, the director-general of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, while Mr McMahon’s daughter, Dympna, read the second reading. During …

A FIVE-mile run and walk to commemorate the short life of baby Nicholas Stokes of Phoenix, Arizona, will take place along the Cliffs of Moher on March 16, 2013. The event has just been launched by RTÉ sports personality, Marty Morrissey and renowned ultra-runner, Keith Whyte from Ennis.Newborn baby Nicholas passed away at the Cliffs of Moher in 2006. His parents, Kelly and Delia, were so touched by the support they received at the time of the tragedy that they have raised over $80,000 to supply emergency equipment and emergency response training for personnel at the Cliffs of Moher, the tourist destination where the first aid centre is known as Nicholas’ Room.The 2013 five-mile run in memory of baby Nicholas is being organised by the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board, in association with James Sexton, Clare Athletics PRO.The five-miler is part of Phoenix Week 2013, which will mark the 25th anniversary of twinning between the town of Ennis and the US …