Tag Archives: killaloe

A GROUP of medieval Vikings will engage in an eagerly-anticipated battle reenactment in memory of a former High King of Ireland during the 31st annual Féile Brian Ború festival, which runs until July 7. Lakes Vikings is a group of Viking age enthusiasts with 20 years experience sailing Viking longboats and organising fun festivals and events. Their longboats have featured in several TV series and documentaries. This is the first time that this group will participate in the Killaloe festival, and it is about ten years since Vikings made their presence felt in the twin communities. It all happened by chance when Féile Brian Ború committee member, Cillian O’Meara, met Paul Kavanagh of Lakes Vikings at a conference in Northern Ireland and invited them to Killaloe, which was taken up by one of their key people about a month ago. At the time of writing, the group had 60 members signed up for their trip to Killaloe including international participants. …

Two lobby groups who want an end to the war in Gaza have pledged to continue their “Banners on the Bridge” demonstrations over the coming months. Members of East Clare for Palestine and Nenagh Friends for Palestine waved flags and shouted slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Ceasefire Now” on both sides of Killaloe Bridge on Friday. This third demonstration was part of a nationwide protest at bridges to encourage more people to come out in support of Palestine. While Carol McNamara, Scariff, welcomed the government’s decision to recognise a two-state solution, she stressed this was not enough as it needed to introduce boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) measures akin to what happened to South Africa under apartheid in the eighties. “We are here to show solidarity with people in Gaza. A lot of these vigils are being filmed and are being and are going back to people in Gaza who are facing starvation on a massive scale,” she said. “There …

A new Special Olympics Athletics Club is on the right track in Killaloe following research and planning undertaken by a local disability activist. Derg AC Inclusive Athletics was unveiled as a Special Olympics Athletics Club at an official launch in Clarisford Park, Killaloe on Saturday. This ensures that children can enter Special Olympics competitions, while Derg AC can now cater for more young members with special needs who want to participate in these events. This is in addition to the inclusive one-hour training session hosted by Derg AC in Clarisford Park on Saturday mornings. Nicola Welford, who set up the Inclusive Athletics Club in Derg AC, recalled it has taken a year to get through a lot of hoops and put all the necessary arrangements in place for the new club. Last year, five or six children won medals in competitions run by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), which was a source of great pride to the club. However, it …

A KILLALOE tennis coach is serving up more free coaching sessions for underprivileged children and adults in memory of his parents in Romania from June 23 to 29. Wesley O’Brien is raising money to fund his latest overseas trip through his charity “Hit and Hope”. Mr O’Brien set up this charity to bring free tennis lessons and equipment to kids and youth affected by war and conflict. It has grown to provide tennis coaching in refugee camps, disadvantaged communities, underprivileged kids and special needs families from all over Europe. His latest venture will be done in memory of his parents who died within three weeks of each other earlier this year. Mary O’Brien, née Reddan, Crossroads, Killaloe, died on Christmas Eve, 2003 before her husband, Eddie on January 14, 2024. “I was doing these trips for a long time before my parents passed away. But these trips are particularly relevant to me now. I like to think that my parents’ …

  Communities in South-East Clare have been rocked by the tragic death of a seven year-old boy following an incident at a swimming pool in Ballina, Killaloe on Saturday. Extending his sympathy to the family, An Taoiseach Simon Harris described the death of Shay Lynch, Shannonview, Ardnataggle, O’Brien’s Bridge as “absolutely heartbreaking”. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Harris stated: “I know people right across Ireland are keeping this family and the community of Clonlara in Clare in their thoughts and prayers at such a sad and difficult time”. Clonlara National School has implemented its Critical Incident Management Plan. The school is liaising with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to ensure support structures are in place to help our school community cope with this tragedy. Funeral arrangements for Shay James Lynch have been announced following what has been described in his death notice as “tragic accident”. Shay was predeceased by his grandmother, Christina. He is …

A seven-year old boy has died after getting into difficulty in a swimming pool at a hotel in south east county Clare. Garda sources confirmed the boy was rushed by ambulance from the Leisure Centre at the Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre, which overlooks the picturesque towns of Ballina and Killaloe, Saturday afternoon. The boy was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead. In response to queries, a Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at a swimming pool on a premises in Killaloe shortly before 3pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.” “A 7-year-old boy was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced deceased.” “The local coroner has been notified, and arrangements are being made for a post-mortem examination” It’s understood the boy was recovered from the water unconscious and efforts were desperately made to try and save his life at the poolside. Garda …

  A former Smith O’Brien’s hurler who died in Milford Hospice following an illness bravely borne with great courage and dignity has been described as an “inspiration” during his Funeral Mass  recently. Thousands of mourners lined the Main Street in Killaloe on Sunday to pay their respects to Liam Walsh, Walsh’s Bar, Killaloe and Ballykildea, Killaloe for what was one the biggest funerals held in the town since the death of former Munster and Ireland rugby legend Anthony Foley. Members of Smith O’Brien’s GAA  and Camogie club shouldered his coffin from Rory Scanlan’s house to the entrance to Reilig Lua graveyard. A guard of honour of club members was formed from the church past his beloved GAA grounds onto the graveyard. Fr James Grace said the community felt deep sadness and grieving following the death of Mr Walsh. Expressing his sympathy to his “broken hearted” family, he assured them of the support of the community during this terrible time. A …

Growing up in a twin community straddling two counties has helped a World Dance Championship entrant to take part in Rose of Tralee selection conventions in successive years. Tara Brady, Ballina, will participate in the Tipperary Rose selection in the Anner Hotel on March 24, a week before she will be competing in the World Dance Championships. Last year, Ms Brady (23) participated in the Clare Rose competition following encouragement from her uncle, Eddie O’Gorman, Killaloe. “It was a fabulous experience. I met so many intelligent, brilliant, funny girls. I would probably have never met them only for the Clare Rose because they all came from different backgrounds and age groups,” she said. “I am still in contact with some of those girls today. I would encourage any woman who is thinking about entering the Rose competition to go for it. “You learn a lot about yourself and it is a great confidence builder. The whole emphasis is on the …