Regional

A South Galway man has been selected to be part of an inaugural training fellowship modeled on a prestigious programme at Stanford University. Colin Forde from Ballinderreen is one of eight participants chosen to work within the clinical area of cardiology, focusing on interventional and surgical procedures as part of the new BioInnovate Ireland programme launched this week.The specialist training programme in medical device innovation, modeled on Stanford University’s prestigious Biodesign Programme, has been jointly developed and delivered by a consortium of five Higher Education Institutions which include NUI Galway, University of Limerick, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University and University College Cork.The aim of the BioInnovate Ireland Fellowship Programme is to train graduates to support the creation of new, cost-effective medical devices that improve patient care through a collaborative approach that focuses on the needs of patients, physicians and the health care industry as a whole.The impetus for the development of this programme emerged from the …

A North Clare woman, reputed to have had 25 husbands, some of whom she is said to have thrown from the highest window at Leamaneh Castle, is the topic for exploration on the latest Clare Farm Heritage Tours walk.The third event in the summer series will be held on Sunday, August 14 at 2pm and will focus on Máire Rua, Wholehearted Heroine or Menacing Madwoman? Clare Farm Heritage Tours is a co-operative of eight North Clare farmers who give guided tours on their farms where more than 100 archaeological sites and monuments have been identified throughout land currently farmed and managed by members of the co-op. The tours are designed to be fun and educational for families, people interested in the Burren landscape and groups of all kinds and can be booked any day of the week.In addition to the daily tours, the co-op is this summer hosting a series of events, which in the month of August is hosted …

THE parents of Megan Malone, the little girl who has beaten all the odds in her battle against a rare form of cancer, are planning to bring the tot back home in September.John Malone, from Ballyalla moved his family to New York after Megan was diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumour called sPNET medullablastoma. After receiving life-saving treatment in New York’s Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, Megan and the rest of the family moved to Boston in July for radiation treatment.Following the success of her treatment, the Malone family are now preparing to move back to their family home in Cork. John said this week, “Megan is going from strength to strength. She has even starting running now. She gets physiotherapy once a week now and that seems to be helping her a lot.”Megan is scheduled to finish her treatment at the end of August and the family hope to fly home in early September.“We have booked our return flight home …

Tim Forde, former manager of Seaworld in Lahinch, jumped at an opportunity that presented itself 13 months ago in Ennis. Through an offer from Clare County Council, he took over as manager of Ennis Leisure Centre, Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park and Tim Smyth Park Playground. In short, every sport and recreational facility in Ennis.

A 40-year-old Kilmaley man is hoping to leap into the history books as he attempts to set the fastest time ever for an underwater dive from Crab Island to Doolin. Christy Healy is taking on the 10km challenge in aid of the Share a Dream Foundation, which he encountered when his son, Stephen got sick last year.“It is revolving around him, really. The reason we are doing this is because we were introduced to Share a Dream through him,” the Ennis resident said.In March 2010, Christy’s son was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which devastated Christy, his wife Trish and Stephen. During his time in hospital, Stephen was visited by Christy’s cousin Jonathan Mangan, a volunteer with Share A Dream Foundation. Jonathan was working on the design of the Dream Machine with Shay Kinsella and with his keen eye, Stephen contributed lots of ideas for both the exterior and interior of the project. “The staff …

A MAYO business man met with Shannon area councillors last week, discussing his proposal for an €85 million green energy facility in the town, which he says has the potential to deliver a massive economic boost.

A NEW €2 million moorings and walkway on the Shannon Navigation in Killaloe will be officially opened by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan this Thursday.

A Killaloe-based marketing executive is on cloud nine after scooping a bronze medal in the 30-34 Female European Triathlon Championships in Northern Spain recently.Andree Walkin, who works as a marketing executive in the University of Limerick Activity Centre in Ballycuggeran, is now the third best female tri athlete in Europe in this particular age group.Despite stiff competition from team Great Britain, who won four of the top five places in this category, Andree got to hoist the Irish flag in third spot on the podium.“I was hoping to finish in the top five and to win a bronze medal was a dream come true for me. It made all the hard work worthwhile. There was about 22 athletes in my particular age group and to make the winning podium was the icing on the cake.”Andree, who was representing Limerick Triathlon Club, was in fifth place after the 1,500m swim, in a time of 28.57 and moved up to fourth place …