Regional

THE language of love is sure to inspire budding poets who are being encouraged to enter a poetry competition for carers. Carers are being urged to put pen to paper for the competition, a partnership involving Caring for Carers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, which was launched this week.The theme of the competition is ‘My Valentine’ – a topic of romance that may inspire the many carers around the county to unleash their creativity and bring a little cheer to these days of gloom and doom. At the launch, Cissie Collins from Darragh, Ballyea, who cared for her late husband for many years as well as caring for others, revealed that she already has some ideas for the competition. However, she was reluctant to give too much away about her poem. “I read a lot, I think it’s a great thing to do when your older and I think I will enter the competition. I would …

THE life of a young Ennis pupil, who tragically lost her battle with cancer last year, will be remembered in style by her friends at Coláiste Muire.Ciara Conroy from Quin passed away last May and later this year, her friends at the Coláiste will host a fashion show to raise funds for a cause that was very special to their late friend’s heart.Ciara was very involved with CanTeen, a teen cancer support group, and funds raised from the fashion show, which will be held in March, will go to the organisation.Transition-year pupils taking part in the Young Social Innovators’ Awards will be producing the show, while all second and fourth-year pupils are involved in modeling on the night.Ciara’s family will be there on the night showing their support.The show’s theme will be Beautiful things we love and love to share and the event is being held in association with Martina Costelloe Productions. The fashion extravaganza will feature spring and summer …

FORMER Minister for Defence Tony Killeen was in Shannon last Friday evening to officially open AerCap’s new offices at Westpark.AerCap is a global aviation company and it employs more than 50 people at Shannon. In an upbeat speech, Mr Killeen paid tribute to the vision of Brian O’Connell in relation to the development of Westpark. “On the very first occasion Brian O’Connell brought me up here to visit a field where there were 17 cattle, we went in a jeep because there was no road. He took out a set of plans and on the plans there were seven buildings, which I thought quite frankly would never be seen by anyone. Today, there are four and a half constructed and they were constructed in accordance with Brian’s vision and his vision now extends to his role as chairman of the board of the airport,” Mr Killeen said.He said Shannon still has a very strong portfolio of companies, many of whom …

TWO local women are set to appear on iWitness, the RTÉ religious affairs programme in the coming weeks. First up will be Rita Quigley and her appearance on the short programme will focus on her work at the Our Lady of the Skies Oratory at Shannon Airport.Rita is set to appear on the programme on Sunday night, after the late news. She has been helping at the oratory for about 12 years. “I change the flowers, clean it up, put the hosts out, general looking after it,” she said.Rita hasn’t actually seen the programme yet and is looking forward to it. “I’m quite nervous about it to be honest, but hopefully it’ll go well.”Kay Glody is also set to appear on the programme in the coming weeks, focusing on her work at the Adoration Chapel in SkyCourt. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed several days a week at the chapel and Kay is in charge of co-ordinating people to spend time …

THE discovery of one of the world’s most invasive clam species in Lough Derg has sparked a call from a local marine biologist for increased monitoring of the River Shannon.Dr Dan Minchin of the Lough Derg Science Group discovered the presence of the Asian clam and believes more sampling of rivers and lakes is needed to monitor the impact and spread of such species. The Asian clam (corbicula fluminea) is regarded as one of the most invasive species found in freshwater habitats and was first discovered in Ireland by biologist Dr Pascal Sweeney in the lower reaches of the River Barrow. Inland Fisheries Ireland research staff found dense populations in the Barrow, with almost 10,000 clams per square metre. It was also found in the Nore last year.Able to grow to three centimetres in diameter, such is its reproductive capability that it could have a serious impact on the biology of Lough Derg. A survey downstream of Rooskey conducted by …

THE relentless demise of the small outlets in rural villages continues following the recent closure of the last shop in O’Briensbridge.Residents looking for a pint of milk, a loaf of bread or their weekly copy of The Clare Champion will now have to travel to Killaloe or Broadford, after the shop near the Old Mill Bar and Restaurant shut its doors for the last time.The award-winning Old Mill had to close due to a lack of trade last October. Add in the closure of the local post office and the picture of a rural village fighting desperately for survival becomes clearer. There are now just two pubs, Darby’s and Bonner’s, left as well as the Village Bistro, while neighbouring Bridgetown also has to do without a retail outlet.Several operators had tried to generate a sustainable trade in the O’Briensbridge shop but, like most small outlets, they had one hand tied behind their backs trying to compete with large discount supermarkets …

KILRUSH and West Clare people or visitors to the area who like the idea of taking a late night walk deep into Kilrush Wood, can now do just that, safe in the knowledge that they won’t get lost.

HAVING been treated for a cancerous tumour at the Mid-West Cancer Centre in Dooradoyle four years ago, Kevin Shalloo is aiming to raise funds for the centre on Saturday, April 9, with a cycle from Limerick to Kilkee. A regular triathlon and dualathlon participant, Kevin is also actively involved in GAA and has played senior football for Kilkee and O’Curry’s. He is currently part of the Coolmeen junior football team management.“We’re hoping to have it on April 9. The idea is to get 100 bikes to do 100 kilometres. Although it’s going to be a little bit more than 100km because we’re going to come the back way and stay off the motorway,” Kevin explained.While anybody who can cycle will be able to take part, Kevin is hopeful that members of Limerick Triathlon Club, Ennis Triathlon Club, West Clare Cycling Club and Dolmen Cycling Club in Ennis will register.“We’re looking for anyone who is interested in taking part or who …