Tag Archives: gold medal

ENNIS’ winning ways in the national Tidy Towns competition continue this year – helped along by people coming together from the county capital and all over the world. The county capital has once again secured a gold medal in the prestigious competition with the judges praising the “huge effort” of volunteers in Ennis while the town was described as “a quirky, friendly and fun place to visit”. According to chair of Ennis Tidy Towns Mary Howard part of the secret of Ennis’ ongoing success is the spirit of collaboration within the town. As part of this, the group has welcomed volunteers of various nationalities who are now living locally, including those staying in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS)  accommodation. “We have multiple nationalities involved with Ennis Tidy Towns, Irish, Lituanians, Polish, Armenian, people living here from the US and Canada,” she said. “This past year we worked very closely with the IPAS centre locally and about 16 of the men can …

THE Clare uncle of gold medal winning Olympic rower Paul O’Donovan has spoken of their family’s pride in his achievement describing the historic win in Paris as “fantastic”. O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won a gold medal in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls final at the Paris Olympics and among those cheering them on during the finals at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium by Paul’s uncle Mike Doab. Mike and his wife were part of a strong contingent of Irish fans who travelled to Paris to show their support for the Cork rowers as they successfully defended their title to claim back-to-back golds, crossing the finish line with a time of 6:10:99. O’Donovan has become the first Irish athlete to medal at three Olympics, having previously won in Rio and Tokyo. He is the grandson of John Doab from Connolly Villas in Ennis, with their uncle Mike who lives in Ennis, is well-known locally having run a butchers in Clarecastle. Speaking in …

Ennis has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre in the 59h annual National Tidy Towns Competition, while Kilrush has joined the counjty town in being awarded a Gold Medal in its category. The result was announced at the 2017 National SuperValu TidyTowns Awards Ceremony at the Helix in Dublin. Ennis was marked against strict adjudication criteria and beat off stiff competition from other large urban centres throughout the country. It’s the seventh time that Ennis has been designated Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre, having won the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2016. Ennis was named overall winner of the ‘Gum Litter Task Force’ and ‘Can it’ awards, while the County Capital also picked up a County Award along with Kilrush and Mountshannon. Lisdoonvarna won an Endeavour Award and Bronze Medals were awarded to Quin, Ballynacally, Ballyvaughan and Tuamgraney. The other main competition winners are Birdhill, County Tipperary (Tidiest Village and overall winner), Westport, County Mayo (Tidiest Large Town), and Clonakilty, County …

Kidney transplant recipient, Marie O’Connor is Lahinch’s golden girl. A member of Transplant Team Ireland at the World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain. Marie mounted the podium to be presented with her gold medal after winning her golfing event at the beautiful Guadalhorce Golf Course. This was Marie’s second medal of the games as earlier in the week she won bronze in the Petanque. After her golfing victory an elated Marie told The Clare Champion, “I am just delighted. It was the one sport I would have hoped to get a medal in, so to win a medal in golf is brilliant. This gold medal and every medal I have won is thanks to my donor for giving me this chance. It’s great to keep the banner flag flying”. Transplant Team Ireland includes four liver and 23 kidney transplant recipients ranging in age from 30 to 79. They are competing against almost 1000 participants from more than 50 countries at what is the largest gathering of transplant recipients this year.   The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for coordinating and managing Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at European and World Transplant Games events. Prior to heading to the games, the Ambassador of Spain José María Rodríguez-Coso  held a reception for members of TransplAnt Team Ireland at his residence in Dublin.    

Both Ennis and Kilrush came agonisingly close to winning the national title in the National Tidy Towns competitions, the results of which were announced today (Monday). Ennis (321) and Kilrush (320) have both been awarded Gold Medals, finishing just 2 and 3 marks respectively off the overall competition winner, Letterkenny (323). Mountshannon won Silver and there were Bronze Medals for Ballynacally, Kilkee, Tuamgraney and Quin. Clarecastle won an Endeavour Award, while Ennis, Kilrush and Mountshannon claimed the County Awards. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, James Breen said, “Regardless of whether or not they have received an award in the national competition, each of Clare’s other Tidy Towns participants are already winners for the huge positive contribution they have made to their localities.” Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Josephine Cotter Coughlan, stated, “We are delighted with our result this year and to have achieved an increase of seven marks on our 2014 score. The fact that Ennis finished just two …

KILRUSH has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town in this year’s SuperValu National Tidy Towns competition. The result was announced by Mr. Alan Kelly, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government at the 2014 National SuperValu TidyTowns Awards Ceremony in Dublin. Kilrush was marked against strict adjudication criteria and beat off stiff competition from scores of other small towns throughout Ireland. Other competition winners included Kilkenny City (Tidiest Large Urban Centreand overall winner), Clonegal Co. Carlow (Tidiest Village) and Westport Co. Mayo (Tidiest Large Town). Speaking following the ceremony at The Helix, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Councillor John Crowe said the award success is a tribute to the local community in Kilrush and the work they have carried out improve the appearance of the town. He added: “Key to Kilrush’s progress in the TidyTowns competition has been the partnership approach that it been adopted locally. There is a broad range of groups and organisations now involved in promoting …