Tag Archives: lisdoonvarna

EXPANDING the benefits of the West Clare Railway across North Clare is the aim of a motion tabled by Councillor Joe Garrihy at the local municipal district earlier this month.  The Lisdoonvarna man called for plan to link Corofin, Carron, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Liscannor and Lahinch with a greater range of walking and cycle routes “to ensure these settlements and communities have appropriate attractive and safe linkage to the overall West Clare Greenway in progress and the Green Road to the Burren, Fanore and Ballyvaughan”. Councillor Garrihy also asked that cycle and walking connectivity from from North Clare to County Galway through Bellharbour, New Quay to Kinvara and Boston/Tubber area to Gort be progressed. “Cycling and walking amenities are among our most successful tourism offerings,” he told the meeting.  The motion was backed by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Cillian Murphy who agreed with the potential that connectivity to the West Clare Greenway offered.  Councillor Joe Killeen agreed with the huge benefits of …

Ukrainian refugees in Lisdoonvarna have implored the country’s ambassador to Ireland to send a message out to world leaders to stop the conflict now. Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland was in Lisdoonvarna on Saturday and met many of the 500 refugees, who have been living in the village for the past number of weeks. In total there are nearly 1000 Ukrainian people living in North and West Clare. Marcus White, owner of the Hydro hotel, said that there were emotional scenes, as the Ukrainian people, along with members of the local community met the ambassador at the Pavilion theatre. “They delivered a strong message to Ms Gerasko, which was to call on world leaders to bring in a ceasefire and stop the senseless conflict now, before any more men, women and children from either side lose their lives.” he said. “Our message is not only addressed to Europe but to all world leaders in the countries, like India, …

HUNDREDS of people fleeing war-ravaged Ukraine have received a cead míle fáilte in North Clare as community groups, organisations and local representatives have come together to ensure a co-ordinated welcome for the new arrivals. More than 500 Ukrainians have arrived in Lisdoonvarna with a further 100 staying in Ballyvaughan in local hotels. This isn’t the first time that Lisdoonvarna has played host to the people of Ukraine as the town has fond memories of welcoming the Ukrainian Special Olympics delegation in 2003. More than 200 Ukrainian refugees who are now staying in the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna this week called for world leaders to stop the war. The refugees who arrived at the hotel last week have called for peace saying, “All Ukrainians and all people of the world, one peace now. Please stop this senseless war. World leaders help us to stop this war. Kindness and compassion to all humanity.” Hotel owner Marcus White told The Clare Champion that …

AT STEPHANIE Fitzpatrick’s funeral on Thursday, Father Robert McNamara paid tribute to the warmth of Stephanie’s family, writes Owen Ryan. Fr McNamara addressed a packed church in Lisdoonvarna, with many more listening outside to the homily. “When I was just in my first week here in Lisdoon, Marian asked me to drop in to see Biddy. I arrived, Biddy had the kettle on, and she asked Marian to put out the good jug for the priest. It was far I was reared from jugs! “Anyway, Biddy then produced this wonderful brown bread, for which I later discovered she was famous, and it was in the sharing of that bread that love and warmth and hospitality became really present, and God was there too undercover. “As the philosopher Wittgenstein had written over his doorway: ‘bidden or unbidden, God is present’. “That home of hospitality and love and welcome was the home that Stephanie came from, and it was a home of …

IN CORK parlance, Billy Murphy might known a ‘scobe’, but Shane Casey, the actor who plays him in hit comedy Young Offenders, will be on his best behaviour when he visits North Clare at the weekend. Shane shot to fame in the Cork-based comedy and became a cult hero after serenading a hijacked bus with a blistering cover of The Frank and Walter’s ‘After All’. He will be in Lisdoonvarna on Saturday night (February 12) to officially launch the new teenage disco at The Hydro Hotel. The pandemic put a spanner in the works for the planned disco back in 2020 and organisers are thrilled that it’s all systems go. “We are delighted that Shane was available for this launch –  we had to postpone this event in March, two years ago, when the pandemic hit – so we are delighted it’s back,” said Marcus White, Managing Director of the Hydro. “There is a huge pent-up demand for teenage discos from young people …

THE late John O’Neill had been a great father and grandfather, his son Graham told mourners at his funeral in Lisdoonvarna this morning. Graham said that John’s mother had been a nurse in London during the Second World War and that “her sense of duty to others and confidence in her own ability to help was something that must have rubbed off on her only son”. He said that even as a boy John had a certain charisma and likeability. “His proud sister Marie told me recently of a time that he stood up to a teacher that was heavy-handed in punishment of a classmate. He received a punishment himself, but it marked him out as someone with a good heart and a brave disposition. John’s school friends remember his enduring kind demeanour, someone who could resolve dilemmas in childhood games and troubles with humour. He was always quick to see the funny side.” Friends he made as a youngster …

Owen Ryan heard warm tributes to the late John O’Neill who was killed last Friday in Lisdoonvarna MANY tributes have been paid to the late John O’Neill since his death last Friday, with people in Lisdoonvarna describing him as very friendly, likeable and holding a wide range of interests. John was in his late seventies and was predeceased by his wife Christine, who died last year. He is survived by his two sons, Seán and Graham, and a number of grandchildren. John and Christine had run a prominent B&B on St Brendan’s Road in Lisdoonvarna, while it was also home to a painting school. Heather Crowe, who runs the Ritz Hotel and Bar in Lisdoonvarna very close to the O’Neill’s home said the death had caused huge shock in the area. “There has been a huge cloud over the town since this news last Friday morning. “John was a well respected man, the family are well respected in the town. …

A 32-year-old man appeared in court tonight charged with the murder of Lisdoonvarna man, John O’Neill. At a special sitting of Ennis District Court at 9.25pm on Saturday night, Thomas Lorigan, of no fixed abode, appeared charged with the murder of Mr O’Neill (78) at St Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna, at an unknown time on January 6/7. Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Ennis Garda Station at 8.03pm on Saturday evening, Dt Sgt John Farmer of Kilrush Garda Station told the court that when cautioned and charged, Mr Lorigan said ‘no comment’. Insp Helen Costello told the court that the Garda application was to remand Mr Lorigan in custody and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed a trial on indictment. Solicitor for Mr Lorigan, Shiofra Hassett asked that Mr Lorigan be psychiatrically assessed while on remand in prison. Judge Marie Keane remanded Mr Lorigan to Limerick Prison and directed that it be noted on the warrant …