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South Clare

Meelick athlete ‘gobsmacked’ by mayoral reception

A FORMER Meelick athlete, who has given almost three decades of service to Limerick Athletic Club, said he was “gobsmacked” to receive a special mayoral reception in City Hall, Limerick last Friday.Paddy O’Connell was honoured by Mayor of Limerick Maria Byrne for his contribution to athletics and fundraising for various charities down through the years.Paddy McMahon from Limerick City was also feted by Councillor Byrne, who decided to choose two volunteers to mark the Treaty City’s selection as the European City of Sport.Six weeks ago, Mr O’Connell was one of 38 people honoured by President Mary McAleese for contribution to sport in all codes. Memories of a “lovely day” with President McAleese came flooding back to Paddy recently when he saw Queen Elizabeth travelling on the same route, through the same door and down the big long hall with busts of all the past presidents of Ireland.Paddy and his wife, Rose, who will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary next October, …

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East Clare Brigade members remembered with new sculpture

A MONUMENT etched with the faces of two members of the IRA’s East Clare Brigade who were killed in Meelick 90 years ago will be unveiled at a special ceremony on Sunday, June 26.Michael Gleeson and Christopher McCarthy were buried in the Republican plot in Meelick churchyard near Patrick White, who was shot by a British sentry at Spike Island Prison, Cork, in June 1921.The special commemorative events will start with mass in Meelick Church at 12 noon, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony near the graves of the men.Once this is completed, parishioners will be invited to drive about one a half miles away to Woodcock Hill where a relative of the deceased men will participate in the joint unveiling ceremony for the new monument. Details of the relatives who will unveil the monument haven’t been finalised yet.Meelick Ambush Commemoration Committee member, Johnny White, insists the commemoration will be a non-political parish event.The committee is also planning to organise a …

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Brigade leader’s deeds to be recalled

THE deeds of a Meelick man, who was head of the East Clare IRA Brigade, will be recalled when Clare County Council hosts its July meeting at Knappogue Castle.Michael Brennan was the chief of staff of the IRA Flying Column and he was joined by John McNamara, Cratloe; Austin Brennan, Meelick; Michael O’Neill, Cratloe (a grand-uncle of Councillor Cathal Crowe); Patrick White, Meelick and Michael Gleeson, Meelick.During the War of Independence, Clare County Council held their meetings at Knappogue Castle where they were guarded by the East Clare Flying Column. Michael Brennan, General of the East Clare Brigade also used the castle as his headquarters during that time.Councillor Crowe tabled a motion at a recent Clare County Council meeting asking the local authority to hold its July meeting in Knappogue Castle as July 11, 2011 marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the Irish War of Independence.He said he is delighted the council has granted his proposal and looks …

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Killaloe man honours wife with charity run

Bobby Reynolds could be forgiven for looking back in anger. Eighteen months ago, he lost his wife, Michelle after an eight-year battle with breast cancer, leaving him with two young daughters, Katie (8) and Edie (6). There are times when he yearns for a return to his old life but he tries to look forward with optimism and is extremely grateful for being able to enjoy his two daughters.The courage he has shown in picking up the pieces as a widowed father has inspired a committee of women in Killaloe and Ballina to leave no stone unturned for the organisation of the second annual Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk in aid of Action Breast Cancer this Saturday.When Bobby lines up with up to 1,000 women and men to complete the 10km trek on the shores of Lough Derg, his thoughts will invariably turn to Michelle.He knows that if his wife was still alive, she would have continued fundraising for Action Breast …

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Big Splash for €2 million open swim in Lough Derg

SPORTING, semi-state and local authorities expect to make a €2 million splash for the local economy during a two-day open swim event in Lough Derg in September.The promoters of Immersed in Ireland (i3) are hoping to attract up to 2,000 swimmers to the region over the weekend of September 16-18.The mass participation open water event, the first of its kind in Ireland ,is being organised by Shannon Development and the University of Limerick Activity Centre, with the support of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, North Tipperary County Council and Clare County Council.This event takes place in the University of Limerick Activity Centre near Killaloe.Speaking about the significance of the event, Pat Daly, tourism division manager at Shannon Development, explained the authority has been targeting new sports events that have the potential to attract additional visitors to the Shannon Region.“The new i3 Swim event is the latest of five world and international events secured by Shannon Development, in partnership …

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