Regional

BUSINESSES in the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe have been given one last opportunity to be included in a new brochure promoting the first Discover Day in Lough Derg next month.

THIS Thursday is the feast of St Senan and the day will be celebrated across West Clare, particularly in the Inis Cathaigh cluster of parishes.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Phil Hogan has come under fire for declining to meet representatives of a new lobby group to hear their concerns about the development of the €120 million motorway in South-East Clare.

MORE than 39,000 outpatients are waiting for surgical treatment in two Galway public hospitals, according to shocking new official figures.

An innovative mobile phone attachment designed by a Tulla secondary school pupil looks set to be patented and marketed on Facebook.

Ennis’ unsung heroes will next week be deservedly recognised for their good work in the parish when they are presented with People of the Year awards.The annual awards presentation will take place on Thursday, March 8, in the Old Ground Hotel with five local people receiving a People of the Year award from Bishop Kieran O’Reilly. A special merit award will also be presented.This year’s recipients will be Donal Griffin, Lahinch Road; Katie Drennan, Claureen; Patrick Murphy, Circular Road; Carmel O’Grady, Childers Road and Joe Martin Tulla Road. Receiving the special merit award will be Canon Pat Taaffe.According to Fr Tom Hogan of Ennis Parish, “Many people are working in a voluntary capacity, often unnoticed, giving of their time and energy in the service of others and enriching our community. A number of years ago the Pastoral Council decided to acknowledge their contributions and awards have been presented to worthy participants since.”The evening will begin with a slide show presentation …

AFTER shaving the heads of more than 100 people as they raised money for charity over the years, Ennis hairdresser Gloria Greer decided to ‘go for the chop’ herself.The well-known stylist from Twin Blades had 26 inches of her long blond hair shorn from her head while cheered on by plenty of supporters at the Front Bar on Sunday. Her new hairstyle has even become known as ‘The Gloria’ on the streets of Ennis.She wasn’t the only one to lose some hair for Barnardos, with volunteers also having their legs waxed in Gerz Place on the same day.Gloria said her flowing locks were important but that raising money to support the children’s charity, a favourite cause of her late mother, was even more so.“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but I never had the guts, until now. People also dye their hair for charity but it would have been a cop out for me because it would be too …