Tag Archives: Seamus Shannon

AWARD-winning and much loved singer-songwriter, PJ Murrihy will be in concert in Kilkee this Saturday night.  The eagerly-anticipated event, which features Séamus Shannon, follows on from a very successful appearance by PJ at the Ploughing Championships. In the wake of the pandemic, fans from all over Ireland lined up to see the Mullagh man live in Ratheniska, and Clare followers will welcome the chance to see him at 8pm, at Cultúrlann Sweeney.  A veteran of the Irish music scene, PJ first came to prominence  in the late ‘80s, with a song called ‘Pat Murphy’s Meadow’. The hugely popular ballad was originally a poem, written by JM Devine in the 1930s. He has since had many successes with his songs including ‘Life in the Auld Dog Yet’, ‘Soldier On’, and ‘Drawing Little Men in the Ashes’. To date, songs written by PJ have been recorded by a number of prominent artists including, Big Tom, Daniel O’Donnell, Foster and Allen, Michael English, …

ANGRY Clare farmers will return to the picket line to highlight unresolved issues next year following their participation in a national demonstration, it emerged this week. A blockade of the Musgrave distribution centre in Kilcock, Kildare, started on Sunday at 3pm and was called off on Monday night following a meeting between Musgrave management, the Gardaí, Limerick Deputy Richard O’Donoghue and protesting farmers. West Clare farmer, Seamus Shannon outlined the farmers’ protest was organised by individual farmers rather than any farm representative organisation, and was supported by hauliers and agricultural contractors who are very concerned about escalating fuel prices. Mr Shannon said farmers were “incensed” by a recent letter written by Green MEP Ciaran Cuffe, requesting banks not to lend money to young farmers. “That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Can you imagine if a public representative you voted for went behind your back to your bank manager and asked him not to lend money to you? …

CLARE farmers are being urged to post back new controversial TB herd history letters to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine as a form of protest. There has been a furious reaction by farming organisations and farmers to the department’s decision to send out these letters to herdowners. The call for a postal protest was made this week by Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe, who asked why the DAFM are doing this unnecessary measure, as farmers already know whether they had TB or were TB free over the last ten years. “If a farmer has TB, it is not something they will forget as you can’t move your cattle. “The Department aren’t offering a reward if a farmer didn’t have TB in one year or ten years. 96.5% of TB has been eradicated from the national herd. What is the definition of eradication? “In my view, it has been eradicated if 96.5% of the herd is TB free. …

PGIFEARS have been expressed that Clare farmers who manage farms in special areas of conservation like the Burren will lose out in the long run if a new classification system for suckler beef is introduced. The Independent Farmers’ Organisation of Ireland (IFOOI) has expressed grave concerns about the proposed Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which the Department of Agriculture is seeking for Irish suckler beef. In fact, it has submitted a comprehensive objection to the DOA outlining its serious concerns about the implications for Clare beef farmers. Kilmurry McMahon farmers, Seamus Shannon and Patrick Crowe are two of the IFOOI executive members who have signed this objection. PGI for agricultural products and foods is linked to a geographical area where at least one production step has taken place. Independent Farmers call on all farmers and farm organisations to oppose this application and prevent the processors aided by state agencies from further exploitation of primary producers. “The Independent Farmers believe that …