Tag Archives: clare champion

CLARE libraries are helping older people ring in the changes when it comes to using getting to grips with new technology. Clare County library has announced a series of Smart Phone classes for older people in a number of libraries beginning at the end of September. The daytime classes will take place in the following libraries: Ennistymon, Kilkee, Shannon, Scariff, and Ennis. The three-week programme will include a session on Zoom video conferencing and the WhatsApp platform so that participants can learn how to connect with others and how to avail of online classes and activities. The classes will be of two hours duration and will take place in the mornings or afternoons. Numbers at the classes are limited due to current restrictions. Clare Libraries will run a second set of classes later in the year. The classes are for those who have not got a smart phone or have just recently received one. The Smart Phone classes will run …

PLANNED public lighting at Ballybeg cannot be installed until after a bat survey is completed due to the presence of the rare creatures at Ballybeg Woods, a council engineer has said. However, Barry Conway, executive engineer has given assurances that the works will go-ahead with the survey needed to determine the programme of installation Details of footpath works in Ballybeg were outlined at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where clarification on a number of issues was sought by Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy. The meeting also heard that speeding traffic is expected to slow down at Ballybeg once the new footpath is put in place. Councillor Colleran Molloy described the commencement of the works as “wonderful for the neighbourhood to see”. Funding granted in 2021 will extend the footpath from the water tower as far as the Radharc na hInse housing development and further funding will be sought to complete the remainder of the path next year. The …

TEN people were assisted by Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat volunteers over the weekend in two separate incidents where cruise boats were reported to have run aground on the lake. On Sunday Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist seven people on a 45ft cruiser. At 1.35pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, crew Steve Smyth, Tom Hayes and Michael O’Sullivan on board. While en route to the stricken vessel, Valentia reported a further three people in need of assistance on a separate 30ft cruiser. At 2.08pm the lifeboat had the initial casualty vessel in sight; aground on a shoal near Navigation Mark G on the Tipperary shore. Marine engineers from the cruise hire company arrived on scene at the same time. The lifeboat remained on standby until the engineers had the cruiser off the shoal and the scene was safe. At 2.30pm the lifeboat departed to assist the three people on the …

AN Ennis secondary school will be able to expand its number of student admissions after the Department of Education gave the go-ahead for a multi-million euro extension. The development at Rice College will see state-of-the art facilities added to the school campus including 13 new mainstream classrooms and a designated suite providing education and support to autistic students. Principal Louis Mulqueen has described the development as “a major advance in the post-primary educational infrastructure of Ennis”. The ability to increase student numbers has been particularly welcomed in light of unprecedented demand in recent years for secondary school places in the county capital, which Mr Mulqueen has described as “a major challenge” for post-primary schools area. As well as enabling increased pupil numbers, the new extension will also allow for an expanded curriculum and broader services for students with special needs at Rice College. Following the announcement, Mr Mulqueen said, “Rice College Board of Management welcomes the recent announcement by the …

LED by the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), Make Way Day returns to Clare this Friday. Make Way Day is a campaign that brings the disability and wider community together to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share. This year, DFI has developed an online tool that campaigners can use to test and rate their local area or 5k. The online tool is mobile friendly and can be used to draw attention to anything that is a barrier for people, meaning every corner of Ireland can be put to the test for basic access issues. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor PJ Ryan, said, “Clare County Council is happy to work with DFI in supporting the roll-out of Make Way Day in County Clare. Make Way Day is an important campaign to increase public awareness of the obstacles and access issues experienced by people with disabilities in public spaces.” Make Way Day focuses …

AMERICAN film star Lacey Chabert spent three weeks at The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis and was quite taken with the place. Chabert, of Mean Girls fame, recently stayed incognito at the hotel while filming her new movie, Christmas at Castle Hart, according to a spokesperson for the hotel. The Hallmark production, which co-stars Irish actor Stuart Townsend, was being shot around Clare and Limerick. The hotel spokesperson also revealed that the actress stayed so long at the Old Ground, because she thought it was “so fetch”. For those of you not au fait with the lingo, ‘fetch’ is another way of saying ‘cool’. Built in the early part of the 18th Century as a private dwelling, the manor house has been a hotel since 1895 and reopened under the ownership of Allen Flynn and the Flynn Hotel Collection in September 1995. They have undertaken five major refurbishments and extensions, bringing it from 11 bedrooms to 108, and it now operates …

GARDAÍ are continuing to seek the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of a 61-year-old man who is known to frequent West Clare. John ‘Jack’ Keane is missing from his home in Athea, County Limerick since Wednesday, September 15. John is described as approximately 5ft 7” in height, of slim build, bald with some grey hair and blue eyes. When last seen he was wearing a red and black rain jacket, black trousers and brown boots. He usually wears a baseball cap and carries a stick. He is known to frequent the West Limerick, North Kerry and West Clare areas. John’s family and Gardaí are concerned for his welfare. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

CLARE Arts Office is inviting primary and secondary schools in Clare to submit their applications for the Artists in Schools Residencies Scheme 2021-2022. This year Clare Arts Office is awarding residencies to the value of €1,200.  The Artists in Schools Scheme was established to enable primary and secondary schools in Clare to develop projects with professional artists for the benefit of the participating students. Since then, over 300 residencies have taken place throughout the county with children participating in visual arts, music, dance, mime, drama, film and creative writing. Applications can now be made online at the link below, where full details on the Artists in Schools Residencies Scheme are available, including the aims and criteria of the scheme, the terms and conditions of the award and a list of the artists on the Clare Arts Office Artists in Schools Panel: https://yoursay.clarecoco.ie/artistsinschoolsresidencyaward2021 The deadline for applications is Friday, October 15, at 5pm. For all inquiries, please contact Ceara Conway, Clare Arts …