South Clare

A LOCAL woman has literally hooked up with the Irish team to participate in a prestigious international competition in Kerry next month.

THE population in the parish of Killaloe dropped by an alarming 33% as a result of the devastation caused by the Famine, according to historical records.The combination of a lack of food, employment and hope for a better future combined to reduce the number of people living in Killaloe parish from 8,007 in 1841 to 5,606 in 1851.While the town of Killaloe lost 191 people through emigration, like a lot of areas in the West of Ireland, the rural townlands in Killaloe parish were the worst hit by the ravages of the Famine. The devastating impact of the Famine in the locality was outlined by Una Kierse during her address at a local commemorative event as part of the National Famine Commemoration events, which are being held throughout the county between May 3 and 12.Over 60 people attended a reading account of an emigration scene at the Pier Head, Killaloe on Sunday with wreath-laying, music, song and prayer.It was fitting …

CALLS have been made for Killaloe to be recognised in a new commemorative coin, which will be issued by the Central Bank to mark the Brian Boru Millennium in 2014. Killaloe was once the capital of Ireland when Brian Boru reigned supreme at Kincora, until his death at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, confirmed in the Dáil that the 2014 millennium of the Battle of Clontarf will be marked with the issue of a €20 gold coin.Minister McGinley said the Central Bank will shortly submit its recommendations for the 2014 collector coin programme to the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan for approval. The Central Bank’s plans would involve the issue of a small gold coin with a weight of 0.5g and likely issue a limit of 10,000.Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara said the commemoration of the Battle of Clontarf and Brian Boru is good news.“I am …

THE collective efforts of local businesses to market the area as a perfect place to holiday will be showcased on RTÉ on Wednesday at 8.30pm.

THE waiting game continues for three homeowners who can’t access their houses in a Killaloe ghost estate, despite some recent progress.

An internationally renowned fiddle player and teacher from Killaloe will be honoured with 90 other outstanding Americans, including actress and humanitarian Mia Farrow, at a special gala ceremony on historic Ellis Island on Saturday, May 11.

MEMBERS of an award-winning residents’ association in Killaloe were left devastated after the destruction of five concrete flower planters in their estate, which will cost an estimated €350.

THE location of at least two protected large habitats along the proposed €100 million distributor road in South-East Clare should result in a revaluation of the entire project following a recent European Court of Justice ruling.