Regional

A LONGFORD man hopes to inform locals and visitors alike about the archaeological heritage of the Burren through his new book, Burren Archaeology – A Tour Guide.Hugh McCarthy has lived in Clare since 1992 and after visiting the Burren and meeting its residents and enthusiasts, he developed a deep interest in the area.“When I came to County Clare I didn’t know anything about the Burren. So just being here and being in contact with people who are interested in the Burren, that is what drew me to it in the first place. I have met loads of people who are just very enthusiastic about the Burren. Dr Brendan Dunford is one of those people and was one of the first people who got me hooked on it. He has done and is still doing great work to raise awareness of the Burren,” Hugh asserts and so it is only fitting that Dr Dunford is set to officially launch the book …

KIERAN Glennon from Cherry Orchard in Dublin has contacted The Clare Champion seeking readers help in solving what he has termed “a perplexing riddle of family history”, which has roots in Cree. Kieran’s grandmother, Nora Clancy, was born on April 30, 1901 in Cloonenagh, a townland in Cree, about 10 miles north-east of Kilrush. Her parents were Michael and Bridget Clancy and she was the fourth of nine children. Her siblings were Harry, Marcella, Daniel, Mary, Catherine, Michael, Patrick and Bridget. She qualified as a nurse and lived in Lahinch before emigrating to Australia in June 1928 as a passenger on a ship named the SS Hobson’s Bay.“Coincidentally, my grandfather was also a passenger on the same ship. His name was Tom Glennon and he was originally from Belfast. I have no indication that they knew each other prior to the voyage but romance must have blossomed during the six-week journey to Australia because only two weeks after the ship’s …

A BITTER row involving a “reluctant objector” and changes to a primary school looks set to continue after a decision due on planning permission for an extension to the school was deferred while Galway County Council seeks further information.St Joseph’s National School in Kinvara, through consulting engineer Paul Feeney of Claregalway, applied for permission in early March to retain a single-storey classroom at the rear of the existing school building, as well as permission for a new two-storey extension to contain three additional classrooms, a general purpose room, circulation areas and bathrooms.A decision on the development was due this week but late last week, Galway County Council wrote to Mr Feeney advising him that the location for the proposed development is adjacent to a protected structure. The local authority stated it requires drawings, photographs, photo montages or other visual material to show the proposed development and its relationship to and potential impact on the protected structure. A decision will now …

CLARE is home to some of Ireland’s “most forward thinking farmers”, according to the head of one of the country’s farming organisations this week.Cratloe man Eddie Punch, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association general secretary, was in North Clare during the week with a group of Austrian organic farmers, who were visiting to see some Irish organic farming, as well as giving a few inside tips of the trade from an organically-forward nation.The trip was organised by the ICSA and saw the group of over 40 farmers visit organic and non-organic farms in Offaly, Galway, Tipperary, Mayo and Kildare, as well as Clare.“Organic farming can play an enormous role in the recovery of the Irish economy, as well as having a hugely positive benefit for farming itself. A move towards organic farming in Ireland would be extremely beneficial to production levels in the country. There is also a sense amongst Irish consumers that organic food is a safer food as …

A NUMBER of councillors backed a call for an investigation into the Cluain Airne saga at this week’s meeting of Shannon Town Council.The affordable housing development at Cluain Airne was controversial before a brick was ever laid but became even more so when work stopped on it last year. Work still hasn’t resumed and at Tuesday’s meeting, a date still could not be provided for the resumption.There were some frank exchanges at the meeting involving town manager, Bernadette Kinsella and Councillor Gerry Flynn, with the independent councillor refusing to withdraw certain comments he made, which she objected to.The meeting heard that €15,000 has been spent on security at the site, with another €75,000 spent on additional costs, including surveying and consultants’ fees.Councillor Flynn and Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy McCafferty both put down motions regarding the situation.In the written response from Ms Kinsella, she outlined where the project stands.“Following liquidation of the initial contracting company and based on the best available …

THE role played by the Clare fire and rescue service in responding to the flooding in Ennis in 2009 was recalled by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan last week at the official launch of a new fire service training centre in Ennis costing nearly €500,000.The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government invested almost €470,000 in the facility as part of the Government’s continuing investment in the fire services. The minister said, “The training needs of today’s fire service personnel are wide and diverse. The opening of this new facility in Ennis will ensure the provision of high-quality training to fire fighters into the future.” Speaking about the flooding in late 2009, the minister paid tribute to the county manager, Tom Coughlan; chief fire officer, Adrian Kelly and director of service, Ger Dollard for the leadership, professionalism and dedication displayed at that time. “I understand that management and staff worked around the clock to ensure that the …

LOCAL students have received national recognition for their efforts in promoting responsible drinking. Roy Duggan, 31, from Ennis, and Aaron Woods, 21, from Barefield, attended the gala DARE2BDRINKAWARE awards ceremony in Dublin recently.At the awards ceremony, Roy, along with his team-mate, TJ Fogarty from Limerick, won awards for Best Multimedia and Public Vote – Best Multimedia for their entry, drinkaware comic, a multimedia project which promotes more responsible drinking using humour. Meanwhile, Aaron Woods was awarded a commemorative plaque for his shortlisted entry, The Ignorant Truth, a film about two girls who bring their two friends home after a night out.Roy is a student at Limerick IT and Aaron is a student at University of Limerick.DARE2BDRINKAWARE.ie, now in its fourth year, is a competition for film and multimedia students, aimed at highlighting young people’s attitudes to alcohol. The competition is sponsored by drinkaware.ie and organised by the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA). At the awards ceremony, the Clare students also …

IT was a day with a difference on Monday for a Broadford hotel sales director and her five-year-old cousin as they helped former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United soccer star, Roy Keane, to launch a charity campaign.Yvonne McNamara, director of sales at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin asked another Broadford native Ashleigh McNamara to help launch the ninth annual Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Shades campaign. This campaign, which focuses on raising funds for the training of guide and assistance dogs for people living with sight loss or autism, runs until Sunday.Ashleigh, who celebrated her fifth birthday on Tuesday, travelled to Dublin with her parents, Leslie and Conor and her two siblings for a holiday break. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Leslie said Ashleigh thoroughly enjoyed the photoshoot.“Ashleigh was thrilled to meet Roy Keane. I could not believe how nice he was to all the children and how interested and knowledgeable he was about the charity and …