Regional

Tuamgraney-based children’s centre Brigit’s Hearth has scooped a Clare design and conservation award for best innovation, at a ceremony held in Glór, Ennis, this week.

Aid to Burundi (A2B) is a charity organisation based in Bodyke and O’Callaghan’s Mills and has been working in Burundi since 2007. Prior to that however, the group had been working together with members of the ALUCOPK agricultural co-operative, who have continually highlighted that one of their biggest problems is a lack of improved seeds, which would increase their productivity. Experience in the past few years with small samples of such seeds brought from Ireland has given good results among members and following a recent East Clare donation of seeds, productivity has increased. A2B aims to provide for the relief of poverty, sickness and distress in Karambi and surrounding areas in the province of Bururi in Burundi by providing the villagers with the means for sustainable growth and development to provide for their own needs and self development. It is hoped through this work it will enable them to take active steps towards the eradication of poverty and secure lasting …

A new tourism and enterprise map highlighting over 150 points of interest in North Clare was launched in Lisdoonvarna on Friday, to help boost visitor numbers and trade in the north of the county.The map, commissioned by Clare County Enterprise Board, is unique in that it highlights portal tombs and ruined castles, alongside leisure activities, scenic walks, craft workshops and artisan food producers that are all dotted along the various routes.‘Quick Response Codes’ are also printed on the back of each map, enabling visitors with smartphones to download the map that is also GPS compatible.Covering areas such as Hags Head, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Doolin, Kilfenora, Ballyvaughan, the Burren and Black Head, copies of the map were available for distribution to tourism providers in the region at the launch.Dr Brendan Dunford, from the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme, gave a keynote address at the launch on Friday afternoon and the map was officially unveiled by Michael Vaughan, vice-president of the Irish Hotels …

Athletes and cyclists from around the country raced through the Ailwee Cave recently taking part in the inaugural Caveman Race. The event was held to raise the profile of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI), a charity dedicated to providing support for people suffering from degenerative muscular disorders. Over 150 adventure racers took part in the inaugural event that was held over two days and was made up of two mountain running and two mountain biking stages. Hosted at the Ailwee Cave, participants ran and biked through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country and, thanks to cooperation from a number of local landowners, gained access to tracks and trails that are not usually open to the public.The highlight for many, however, was the section of the race that took part inside the cave itself. Athletes, who were competing against the clock in a time trial, set off from deep within the cave. The cheers and screams echoed as the …

SOUTH Galway features strongly in the shortlist for the County Mayor’s Awards 2011. Galway County Council revealed the nominations on Monday with 35 individuals, community and voluntary groups getting the nod over seven categories for the inaugural awards, which will take place next month.Speaking at the launch of the awards, County Mayor Councillor Michael Maher said, “I am delighted to be hosting the first ever Mayor’s Awards for County Galway. When I took up the office of county mayor earlier this year, one of my priorities was to acknowledge and celebrate the great work that people and communities are involved in around the county. Over the years, the county council have shown their commitment to supporting communities through their various schemes,” he said.“The awards will recognise community activity in areas such as sport, arts, environment and energy efficiency, community enterprise, youth, age friendly and tackling exclusion and disadvantage. Thirty-eight public nominations have also been received for a special Volunteer of …

A SOUTH Galway man will bring a taste of the 19th century salon to Clare next month but not before performing his new show in his home village of Kinvara. Gerry Conneely will be Surfing the Zeitgeist in Johnston’s Hall at 8.30pm on Sunday. “The show involves a trip through time using romantic poetry as a prism with which to view events. It consists of historical narrative, storytelling and recitation. It tells the story of the modern world and its impact on Ireland, in the style of a 19th century salon. Its purpose is to entertain, while at the same time, demonstrating the effectiveness of the rural arts of storytelling and recitation. It is history through story and poetry, if you like,” Gerry explained.The show has been previewed and developed over the summer before a number of groups. “I performed it about three times during the summer. The first time I did it was at the Cruinniú na mBád festival …

ON Saturday night, November 26, 11 West Clare dancing couples will take to the dance floor in the Armada Hotel in aid of the Doonbeg charity Help the Cherven Orphans. The event will be along the lines of Strictly Come Dancing. Headed up by Edel Smith from Doonbeg, who is a primary school teacher at Carrigaholt National School, the charity is aiming to build a halfway house for teenagers and young adults in Belarus. Each couple will represent a West Clare parish and while some of those due to take to the dance floor are noted dancers, a few have yet to be lauded for their dancing skills. The couples are Marianne Hackney and Michael Liddane (Cross); Biddy and Fintan Ryan (Carrigaholt); Dermot Tubridy and Marie Galvin (Cooraclare); Joe Garry and Bernie Kelly (Cree); Caroline Kennedy and Conor Whelan (Doonbeg); Carmel Muldoon and David Russell (Kilkee); Conor Crowley and Eimear Considine (Kilmihil); Eamon and Mary Keane (Kilmurry McMahon); Tara Flynn …

Star of the Sea Church in Quilty will this week celebrate its centenary with a series of events. Just over 100 years ago it was decided to build a church in the village and money was donated by local people and their friends in other parts of Ireland, England and the United States of America. In addition, the French government made a small donation available for those who engaged in the rescue of the French ship Leon XIII, which occurred in October 1907 when a raging storm hit the Clare coast, causing the ship to be swept on the reefs near Quilty. Using only their currachs, the fishermen of Quilty braved the terrible conditions and made several attempts to rescue the crew of the stricken ship and managed to bring ashore 13 of the 22 sailors. By the following day, the wind had calmed slightly and a British steamer arrived on the scene, resulting in the rescue of the remaining …