Caher woman supporting Clare Haven Services with proceeds from book of poems POEMS can pop into Reah Higgins’ head at any time of the day. The Caher woman has been finding her creative voice over the course of the last year-and-a-half, when lockdowns kept many people at home with a little extra time on their hands. “I don’t sit down to write,” she said. “The poems just keep coming. It could be something that comes into my head while I’m reading or watching TV, or a poem could be sparked by something someone says. “It’s been a childhood dream to write and lockdown started something by giving me more time for creativity.” Last year, the Wexford native launched her first CD collection of poetry to give something back to the Irish Kidney Association (AKA). In 2017, the organisation was a lifeline when Reah donated a kidney to her husband Aaron. Now, the professional social care leader has turned her literary …
Read More »Viral success as musicians ‘seize the day’ for Eimear
A MUSICAL challenge in memory of the late Caher woman, Eimear Noonan, has gone viral, attracting over 400 online performances, across all genres and styles. Carpe Diem Sing and Play: Remembering Eimear has also raised thousands of Euro for a bursary for music students, which is taking applications up until this Saturday. The online challenge was the brainchild of Eimear’s brother Michael and driven by a dedicated team involving family and friends, who have marked, in an extra special way, the third anniversary of the young musician’s untimely passing. “The response across the globe has been phenomenal,” said Eimear’s mother, Mary. “The purpose of Carpe Diem is to support music education and performance and was given a whole new audience as talented young players, together with seasoned musicians and household names, shared their gift of art and music-making for two wonderful lockdown weeks, this November. The music continues to roll in as over 150 performances have yet to be shared. …
Read More »Carpe Diem challenge goes virtual in Eimear’s memory
A BURSARY in memory of a young Caher musician and teacher will be boosted this year by an online performance and fundraising challenge, running over the next fortnight. Eimear Noonan died tragically after a fall while out running in Annonay in the south of France, were she worked at Font Chevalier Primary School. The passing of talented musician in November 2017 prompted her family to set up The Eimear Noonan Music Bursary to support others in their musical studies. The Carpe Diem concert, also became an annual event, held in November, in Eimear’s memory. Covid-19 restrictions have meant that a formal gathering this November isn’t possible, so instead, Carpe Diem has gone virtual and singers and musicians across the county are being invited to share their performances on social media between November 1 and 15. Performers are asked to post a video of a performance to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok, using the hashtag #CarpeDiemSingAndPlay. They can then nominate others …
Read More »Eimear’s remains to arrive home
IT is understood that the family of Eimear Noonan will return home from France this Thursday, after the Department of Justice in France issued a permit, enabling them to bring their 21-year-old daughter home. The young teacher from Caher in Killanena, a recent graduate of University College Cork, the only daughter of Flan and Mary Noonan. She died tragically following a fall while out running in a public park in Annonay in the south of France were she was a teacher at Font Chevalier Primary School. Her funeral mass is expected to take place this Sunday at 12 noon. In a statement on social media, her brother and Clare U-21 hurler, Cathal, said the family would like to “thank all of those who have supported us in recent days”. He said, “French authorities have now confirmed to us the heartbreaking news that our beloved Eimear died, following a fall while running on Wednesday, November 8. “Eimear celebrated her 21st birthday in …
Read More »Family of Eimear Noonan Prepare to Bring her Home
The family of Eimear Noonan confirmed the heartbreaking news that the 21 year old graduate lost her life following a fall while out running last Wednesday, November 8. In a statement on social media her brother, Cathal said the family would like to “thank all of those who have supported us in recent days”. “French authorities have now confirmed to us the heartbreaking news that our beloved Eimear died following a fall while running on Wednesday. Eimear celebrated her 21st birthday in April and had been living in Annonay since September where she worked as an English language teacher. Eimear was a warm, bubbly person who had already made a wide circle of friends there through her love of music and singing. She graduated last month from UCC with an honours degree in Irish and French, was a talented violinist and to our immense pride was head of UCC orchestra for her final year there,” he said. Eimear will be greatly missed …
Read More »‘Epidemic’ of village signage thefts
THE theft of village signage has been described as “epidemic” by local Councillor Pat Hayes, who highlighted that signs have been stolen in four villages in East Clare. Councillor Hayes said Feakle, Caher, Flagmount and Killanena have had signage taken. He said some thefts have occurred in recent weeks, while others were some time ago. He said it is not the directional signage, which is usually the common problem, but in this case it is the larger signs for the villages themselves. “It seems to be specific to this side of the county. Directional signposts are also missing. The GAA one in Caher was taken down and a couple of business ones were taken as well. It seems to be an epidemic for the last while. I would very much be appealing to the public out there. There might be huge value in those signs but it is the communities that put them up and maintain them. They are part …
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