March 2010 Connemara View by Connemara View Publishing

Connemara Duo In All-Ireland Talent Final Voters for talent and tradition once again showed their power when Connemara’s Emma O’ Sullivan and John O’ Halloran breezed through the semi- finals of the All Ireland Talent Show on Sunday February 28th. Following a stunning performance, complete with loud vocal support from the Connemara contingent present at the live show, Emma and John were announced as the second act of three to proceed to the live final, which will be aired on RTÉ One at 6:30pm on Sunday March 14th. The combination of two of Connemara’s finest performers has captured imaginations all over the country. Speaking after the semi-final Emma said “We are so grateful to everyone who has voted for us so far and hope that they will stick with us to the final and vote again. We have canvassed all over the country throughout the competition and hope everyone else will do the same in the run up to the final, so we can bring the prize and the pride back to the West!” There is also a dedicated Facebook page called ‘Vote for Emma O Sullivan’, with photos and news of Emma and John’s adventures. The talented duo’s semi-final performance upped the ante from the previous heats, with John giving a lilting introduction before Emma performed the barrel dance, demonstrating the traditional sean nós discipline of dancing in a confined space. The flawless performance was a hit with all of the judges and the stage is now set for another great display from the pair in the live final. So tune in to RTÉ One on Sunday March 14th to vote and show once again that when it comes to Irish talent-the West really is the best! Photo courtesy of LH Publicity

NYC meets Dan O’ Hara Martin Walsh of the Connemara Heritage & History Centre recently took to the streets of New York City dressed in character as Dan O’ Hara. He was selling matches to draw attention and interest in Ireland as a tourism destination. The chilly weather conditions were perfect for the Dan O’ Hara song refrain ‘With these matches in my hand, in the frost and snow I stand’. Martin has now returned from his promotional trip and will be hoping to see some more American visitors travelling to Ireland as a result, keen to further explore the quirks and curiosities of Connemara! Photos courtesy of Paula Lydon

need basic things now like food, water and shelter and this money will directly help many people and families who are in dire need of assistance”. Photo far left: Pictured at the Hearts for Haiti Art Auction on February 12th were (l-r): Sean Halpenny, Matt O’Sullivan, Terri Conroy and Lol Hardiman. Photo left: Ronan Scully of GOAL collects €6,386.22 from auction organisers Sean Halpenny and Lol Hardiman.

REGIONAL Talk on Mink Trapping A talk on the problem of mink in Connemara and how to trap them will take place at FORUM in Letterfrack on Thursday March 4th at 8pm. All are welcome to attend. For more information on mink, see article by local ecologist Marie Louise Heﬀernan on Page 24.

Shamrock Quiz

International Women’s Day of Prayer An Interdenominational prayer service to mark the annual International Women’s Day of Prayer will be held on Friday March 5th at the Church of Ireland, Clifden at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

Connemara Supports Haiti Appeal

A huge amount of fundraising eﬀorts were carried out in the Connemara area since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake early this year and the generosity with which people responded was remarkable.

Hearts for Haiti

Ronan Scully of GOAL visited Clifden in February to collect the proceeds of €6,368.22 raised by the art auction and said, ‘ GOAL are extremely grateful for all the fundraising eﬀorts that have been undertaken in Connemara and across the country and we will use these valuable funds to help people on the ground in Haiti. The people of Haiti

The ‘Hearts for Haiti’ art auction organised by artist Lol Hardiman and musician Sean Halpenny was a great success on February 12th at the Station House Hotel. Auctioneer Matt O’Sullivan brought out the best in bidders in a fun and uplifting evening followed by entertainment from local musicians.

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A Table Quiz held in The Shamrock Bar in Roundstone on February 5th had eleven tables and raised a total of €820. Many more fundraisers than are mentioned here have been held in towns and villages throughout Connemara in recent weeks and have once again demonstrated the generosity of Irish communities who empathise with the devastation suﬀered by the people of Haiti. Well done to all for the time and work put in to these fundraising events.

Scoil Mhuire Jeans Day The staﬀ and students of Scoil Mhuire Clifden held a jeans day on Wednesday February 17th to raise funds for Haiti. Some of the students are pictured here with their Haiti Fund cheque for €470.

Rugby Car Boot Sale A monster car boot sale in aid of Connemara RFC’s Underage rugby will take place at the rugby club grounds at Monastery Field in Ardbear on Sunday March 28th from 10am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available on the day as well as access to the club bathrooms. All are welcome to come along and the cost will be €10 per car, €15 with a trailer or €20 per van. For more information or enquiries please contact Irene at 087-901-7406.

March 2010

Connemara View Newspaper

Badge and the ability to conduct guided walks of the Connemara region. Pictured below at the launch of the ‘Marine & Countryside Guide Course with Specialisation in Hill Walking’ at the Letterfrack Further Education Centre were (l-r): Connemara Tourism representatives Carmel Murray, Josephine DeCourcey, Joe Lynch, Greg Thompson, Karen Mannion of FORUM Connemara, Breandan O Scanaill, member of Connemara Tourism and course participant, Eithne Nic Dhonnchadha, Adult Education Oﬃcer of the Co. Galway VEC, Michael Laﬀey and Mr. Seosamh Mac Donncha, CEO of the County Galway V.E.C.

have two other students in March. We had to say goodbye to three residents lately: Nellie Conboy from Letterfrack, George Spencer formerly from Dublin and Maam and Gertie Connelly from Ballyconneely. We send our sympathies to their families and friends who visited them when they were here. Dr. Marian Hanrahan

St Anne’s News

Students ‘Walk on Wednesday’ Students of Clifden Community School undertook a ‘Walk on Wednesday’ initiative on the bright but cold morning of Wednesday February 10th. WOW Day is part of the school’s continuing commitment to environmental education and action, spearheaded by teacher Olivia Staunton.

Hill Walking Guide Course Launched

On Friday February 26th the ‘Marine & Countryside Guide’ course with a specialisation in hill walking was launched at the Further Education Centre in Letterfrack. The course is being delivered by the Co. Galway VEC in association with Connemara Tourism and FORUM Connemara, and offers 25 participants the opportunity to become professional walking guides in the Connemara area. In attendance were: Seosamh MacDonncha, Chief Executive Officer and Eithne Nic Dhonnchadha, Adult Education Officer of the Co. Galway VEC, Patricia Walsh of Petersburgh OEC, course tutors Michael Gibbons, Marie Louise Heffernan, George Finnegan, Donal Enright (Petersburgh OEC), Karen Mannion of FORUM Connemara, Josephine DeCourcey and representatives of Connemara Tourism, and Michael Laffey who was instrumental in getting the course for the area. Many of the participants of the course were also present to get a flavour of what awaits them in this comprehensive course, at the end of which they will have earned a Fáilte Ireland Guide

Connemara View Newspaper

Preparation for a renovation in St. Anne’s has started to provide bedrooms for all residents on the ground floor. This means a reduction of the total number of beds from 34 to possibly 24. The reason for this change is a tighter application of the fire regulations by the County Council Fire Officer. This is based on deaths of residents in residential units in Scotland and Belgium. As you probably know, the average age of our residents is 86 years. Most residents are unable to walk down the stairs. In the case of a fire, we cannot use the lift. There are presently 26 residents in St. Anne’s; 25 long-term and one resident short-term respite care. We are open for respite. Respite is for maximum one month a year and is free of charge. This can be taken as a month, weekends, week, or fortnight, depending on the circumstances. We are closed for new long-term admissions at present. When we reached less than 24, we will be open again for new admissions. The Nursing Home Support Scheme, Fair Deal, is now in place. This means that you and your GP need to apply for the medical and financial assessment before someone can come to a residential unit. Information on the Fair Deal is available on the Internet of the Department of Health. If you only have a pension, no land or property, you pay 80% of your pension. Otherwise, you have to pay the cost of care in St. Anne’s for up to three years. Deferred payment may be possible depending on the outcome of your financial assessment. We welcome two new student nurses from the National University in Galway. They stay one month and we will

March 2010

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REGIONAL

Joyce Country Walking Festival The ﬁrst ‘Turas Oidhreacht Duiche Sheoigheach’ or Joyce Country Walking Festival will take place from Friday March 5th to Sunday March 7th against the backdrop of the breathtaking mountains and mystical valleys of North County Galway and South Mayo. The festival initiative has been spearheaded by CDS Teo, Petersburg OEC, Co. Galway VEC and the local communities in the area and the opening event of the festival will be a forum entitled ‘Upland Recreation 2010: New Initiatives’. This will be an opportunity for farmers, landowners, policy makers, educational groups, government bodies and recreational users to discuss issues, topics and strategy related to upland access for recreational and educational purposes. It will consist of three short 10 minute presentations: Minister O’Cuiv ‘The current situation relating to access in upland and rural areas’, Trish Walsh with Liaison oﬃcer or Farmer’s rep ‘Binn Shléibhe Pilot Scheme’ and Joe McDonagh CEO of Co. Galway VEC ‘Training opportunities for new rural initiatives’. This will be followed by an open forum chaired by Joe McDonagh. There will be music and dancing nightly in the bars of Maam, Clonbur, Tourmakeady and Cornamona over the weekend, an opening of an art exhibition by local artists on Friday evening and many more events throughout the weekend ensuring a full and varied line up for all. Registration for all walks takes place on Saturday morning at 9am. For more details and a full schedule of events go to www.joycecountry. com, e-mail info@joycecountry.com or call 087-152-1716.

Mol an Óige Concert

The annual Spring Mol an Óige concert by local youth musicians will take place at the Church of Ireland in Clifden on Friday March 12th at 8pm. These popular concerts by Connemara youths raise funds for various charities each year and showcase the fantastic talent in the area, guaranteeing an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Clifden 2012 Digital Archiving On Sunday 21st February the Clifden 2012 committee held their ﬁrst digital archiving day at the Station House Hotel. It was an interesting day with plenty of discussion from the participants and the committee. There was a fairly small turnout, but of course the weather did not help as we had the heaviest snowfall of the year that afternoon but the few brave souls who turned up supplied an amazing range of photographs and other items. The committee intends to build on this experience.

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Further Education Art Show

CSI: Clifden Campaign Continues

Students of B.T.E.I. (Back to Education Initiative) from Clifden and Letterfrack Further Education Centres are holding an exhibition of their work as part of an Event Production module from Thursday March 11th to Saturday March 20th. The exhibition will be held at the new premises of Cashel Connemara Credit Union in Clifden (beside Bank of Ireland). The oﬃcial opening of this exhibition by guest speaker Mary Kett, Further Education Co-ordinator from the Dept of Education, will be at 6pm on Wednesday March 10th. The students are participating in a two year FETAC Level 5 Certiﬁcate in Art & Design. BTEI provides part time further education programmes. For further information on courses, contact Sorcha O’ Toole at the Further Education Centre in letterfrack (095) 41302/ sotvtos@eircom.net. The exhibition is open to the public and everyone will be most welcome.

In the last 12 months the plans for a new Community School Building for Connemara have significantly advanced. It is acknowledged by our political representatives that this has been assisted by the actions and support of the public through the campaign of CSI: Clifden. It is also put on the record by those same representatives that the campaign should maintain its momentum until the main objective of a new “fit for purpose school” has been reached. On Monday 22nd February a public meeting was held in the Community School to discuss the current situation and future plans for the building project. At this well attended meeting, local Ministers, Deputies, Senators and Councillors addressed the public outlining their thoughts on how things will progress. The meeting was generally upbeat where all agreed that Stage 2B is a crucial point and all conditions should ideally be prepared for submission before the end of this year. Some areas of concern raised were the issues of the sewerage and site lines. It is hoped that all issues can be overcome easily and the panel publicly declared their commitment to work together in the interest of overcoming any obstacles at this stage. The panel also collectively confirmed their support of the CSI Campaign and stressed the need for the CSI Clifden campaign to continue. The significant advancements are due to the awareness and support of the community of Connemara. Going forward, CSI Clifden commits to continue its campaign. The next 12 months are very important and any developments or setbacks will be discussed at the proposed regular public meetings. To this end your continued support and input is vital. We urge you to maintain the strength of the campaign by being involved in any way possible. Our next public meeting (AGM) takes place on Tuesday March 23rd at 8pm in the Community School. Everyone is asked to attend. Check out our website www.csiclifden.com – text any comments to 087-125-4208. More Regional on page 14

Info Night for Parents of Teens

AIDS West is hosting an information night for parents of teenagers in the Station House Hotel, Clifden on Monday 29th of March from 7- 9pm. This free workshop titled, “I’m a Parent...Get Me out of Here” will provide information and support to parents of teenagers with regard to sexual health, drugs, legal highs, alcohol and eﬀective communication. The speakers will include Siobhán O’Higgins and Lorraine O’Connell, Sexual Health Education co-ordinators with AIDS West and Neil Wilson, Drugs and Alcohol Education co-ordinator also working with AIDS West. The workshop will create a supportive environment where parents can learn factual information about drugs, alcohol and sexual health. It will give parents advice on how to enhance communication between them and their teenagers as well as guidelines on what to do in emergency situations, e.g. over doses, recovery positions, etc. All are welcome to attend on the night of March 29th, or for further information please contact AIDS West on 091-566-266 or info@aidswest.ie.

We have had many contacts from people who will come to us at a later date. As well as running further archiving days, one of the committee, Shane Joyce, has agreed to scan items for people at his oﬃce. This is located at the back of Ferguson’s Wines on Main St. Shane is available most days; just call to the shop and he will be happy to discuss the project. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Brendan Smith of DERI from NUI Galway, for his help in organising the day. His participation made everything run so smoothly. Also thanks to Marie Mannion, Heritage Oﬃcer, Galway County Council, for her invaluable help and to all at the Station House Hotel for their help. Photo below: The photograph reproduced here, comes to us courtesy of Joe McGrath, Beach Road. It shows pupils from Clifden Boys School, taken in 1935. Do you recognise anyone in the picture? The names as we have them are:

March 2010

Back (l-r): Peter Gough, Thos. McInerney, Andrew McGrath, Ml O’Toole, Tony Bailey, Joe McGrath, Liam Clancy, Tiboid Joyce, Frank Connolly, Connie McGrath. Middle (l-r): Unknown, unknown, Ml Joe Burke, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Fursey Clancy, unknown. Front (l-r): Kevin Stanley, unknown, Naisi Ludden, unknown Geary, unknown Bailey, Paddy Joyce, unknown, Ml or Ed Gough, unknown Conroy, unknown, Patrick O’Toole. Watch out for further Digital Archiving Days. If you want photographs copied, please contact Shane Joyce or myself, Breandan O Scanaill. Also, if you have family visiting over the next few months, don’t forget to let them know about our project and ask them to bring old photographs. Breandan O Scanaill Chairman Clifden 2012

Connemara View Newspaper

Clifden

Table Quiz A Table Quiz in aid of the Clifden GAA Juvenile Club will take place at 9:30pm on Thursday March 4th in Mannion’s Bar, Clifden. All are welcome to attend on the night and support the club.

Clifden District and Community Council AGM Notice is hereby given of the AGM of the Clifden & District Community Council will take place at Mannion’s Bar, Market St, Clifden on Wednesday March 24th at 8pm.

St Patrick’s Day Parade The Clifden St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Clifden Town Centre on Wednesday March 17th; starting at 1pm. Groups and floats are asked to assemble at the Galway road by 12:30pm in order to get the parade underway on time. Groups may enter any float or theme of their choosing and may contact the Connemara Chamber at admin@clifdenchamber.ie or 087-052-0295 to register interest or confirm participation.

Streamstown Graveyard It is planned to form a group to carry out a spring clean of the graveyard in Streamstown in the near future. Anyone who has family members buried there or anyone interested in getting involved is asked to come to the Station House Bar at 8pm on Monday March 8th or contact Mary King on (095) 30796 or Cathriona O’Toole on 095-21951.

Playschool Fundraising A Spring Bring and Buy Sale in aid of Clifden Community Playgroup will take place on Saturday April 17th in the Station House Hotel. Tables cost €20 to sell anything, from home baking, hand me downs, new or nearly new clothes, books, DVDs and any kind of bric-a-brac. All are welcome to come and buy or sell for what promises to be a day of great fun. There will also be lucky dips, guess the weight of the cake and something for everyone. To book a table, please contact Lisa at 086-079-2376 or Sandy at 087-762-6917.

Better Ireland Awards Clifden Community Playschool has been nominated for the AIB Better Ireland Awards 2010. Your votes are needed-please text ‘Clifden A’ to 51303 or log on to www. betterireland.ie to cast your vote and help us receive much needed funds from AIB to help our organisation. Make your vote count and help the Clifden Community Playschool!

Clifden Bay Pontoon Project March sees the long awaited start of the chamber of commerce sponsored Clifden Bay pontoon project. This project has been a goal of the chamber for many years, and finally after many hurdles, the contractors Louis Keating & Co are ready to start phase one of the project at the end of the month. On completion, this pontoon will be a significant addition to the marine leisure infrastructure in West Connemara and it will allow all tides access for leisure craft to the Clifden Boat club area. The project has received 75% funding from FORUM and phase one is costing approx. €56,000. This project has been the culmination of many years of perseverance by past and current chamber officers, and it is indicative of the

rolling continuous nature of the chamber that it stuck with the process for over 6 years, ﬁnally getting its foreshore licence approved last year. Special thanks are due to many in getting the project to this stage: Paul Mannion for the initial conception design and applications, our engineer Tom Healy, Pat Casey and Dave Beecher for the Lotto work who will fund the project, Damien Ward and the Clifden Boat Club who have provided invaluable assistance to getting the project over the line, Galway Co Co for their advice and Karen Mannion in FORUM for her help in getting the project through this stage. The chamber believe the future direction of Clifden and Connemara tourism should have a greater emphasis on marine leisure, and we are delighted to be taking this ﬁrst step in what we hope will eventually lead to having a proper marina on the west Galway coast in years to come. Declan Mannion

Tidy Towns News At the recent meeting of the Clifden Tidy Towns group held in Station House Hotel on Monday, 22nd February, the updated St. Patrick’s Day plans were talked through by Bernie Ward and this year for the first time, the group will have a float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Various other projects such as the Galway Road, tree planting and flower planting around the town were also discussed. But the recent good news on the night was the fact that the Old Jail Walkway project will start quite soon under the guidance of the Clifden FÁS team. An anonymous donor from the Clifden business community has contributed a large sum of money towards this project. On behalf of the group we would like to thank them for their generosity. We would also like to thank Wills Brothers Construction from the Derrylea road project for their contribution of as much stone chippings as we require, fully delivered. As always if you would like to become part of the group, we always welcome new members and you can see updates in Supervalu on our notice board or contact our secretary, Mary at cregghouse1@eircom. net. PK Joyce, PRO, Clifden Tidy Towns Group.

Library News Computers for the Public Please note the following changes in times allocated for use of Library computers. Morning sessions: 10.30-11.20 am; 11.30-12.20 pm; Computers will not be available after 12.30pm. Afternoon sessions: 2.30-3.20pm; 3.30-4.20pm; 4.30-5.20pm. Computers will not be available after 5.30pm. Evening sessions: 6.30pm-7.20pm; 7.30pm-8.20 pm. Computers will not be available after 8.20 pm. This is to facilitate administrative work by library staﬀ. Each user is entitled to 50 minutes computer time each day and the new time changes will not interfere with this.

competition; draw, paint or make a piece of artwork with an Easter theme; use your imagination and see if you can win an Easter Egg. The closing date is 27th March 2010.

Reader of the Month February reader of the month is Claire Sweeney aged 11 from Claddaghduﬀ. Bernie Jeﬀries

Spring Reading List 2010 In the Forest by Edna O’Brien, Venus Reborn by Martina Devlin, The Baby Trail by Sinead Moriarty, The pleasure of Eliza Lynch by Anne Enright, Shadows will Fall by Rose Doyle, Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, Are You Somebody by Nuala O’Faolain, Falling for a Dancer by Deirdre Purcell, Holy Pictures by Clare Boylan, In the Beginning by Catherine Dunne, Tatty by Christine Dwyer Hickey. These books are all written by Irish Women Writers and are all available at the library.

Easter Competition Look out for the library’s fabulous Easter

Scoil Mhuire News Sixth Class in Scoil Mhuire Clifden participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Readathon this year. We raised €500 for this wonderful cause and we read many interesting books. Miss Joyce received a letter last week announcing that one of her students had been nominated for a special award from the M.S. society. Joeleen Conroy is a wonderful, hard-working student who always gives 100% in everything she does. Joeleen will attend an awards ceremony in Dublin on March 10th to accept her award. Miss Joyce and Miss Mitchell will accompany her. We are so proud of Joeleen and we are very happy for her. 6th Class, Scoil Mhuire Clifden

I Love Clifden Bags A re-usable ‘I Love Clifden’ carrier bag has been developed and launched by Sharon Griﬃn of ‘Ohh! By Gum’ boutique at the Station House Courtyard in Clifden. The eco-friendly local carrier bags are now available at the shop and come in two sizes. A percentage of the proﬁts raised from the bags will also go to the Clifden outreach branch of Cancer Care West.

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2010

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Carraroe

Sewerage Issue Recurs The campaign against a proposed water sewerage plant at a site near An Sruthán in Casla Bay in Carraroe is being renewed, as the committee formed last year has reason to believe that the proposal is now being reconsidered by the County Council. The plans were put oﬀ last year after a sustained campaign of protest by local councillors and the Céibh an tSruthán committee.

Cashel

Cashel NS News Condolences The pupils, staﬀ and parents of our school were devastated to hear of the untimely and sudden death of our former chairperson Fr. Patrick Breen. Fr. Breen frequently visited our school and was a major support to us all. He will be dearly missed by us all. Our whole community is shocked at his passing. Fr. Breen’s family, friends and especially Fr. McCarthy are in our thoughts. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.

Confirmation Retreat in Ballintubber Abbey On Wednesday February 24th we spent a very reflective, relaxing and prayerful day in Ballintubber Abbey led by an excellent staff. We met pupils from four other schools and it was great to make new contacts. We were divided into groups which involved designing posters etc. It was a very enjoyable day and helped in our preparations for our big day- our Confirmation on the 25th of March.

AIB Better Ireland Awards Cashel National School has been shortlisted for the AIB Better Ireland Awards. Therefore, we need your support in order to win votes by text. Vote Clifden followed by a space, followed by B to 51303 (standard SMS rates apply). To vote online: go to www.betterireland.ie, select Clifden branch and choose St. Theresa’s N.S, Cashel (option B). N.B.: Voting is from 15th February to 15th of March only. Our school is guaranteed to win €2000, €3000 or even €5000 so your support is vital- mile buíochas!

Traditional Music School We aspire to setting up a traditional music school in the future whereby all pupils from ﬁrst class upwards will learn an instrument. We are privileged to have Marie Walsh, Noreen Sullivan and Rosie Joyce teaching instrumental music and we wish to expand this. Therefore, if anyone has an instrument they wish to loan or donate to the school, please contact the school as soon as possible. We have been donated another piano and a violin (on loan). Additionally, we are looking for sponsorship from private individuals or businesses so if you’re interested please get in touch with us a.s.a.p, thanks! Cashel NS Students & Staﬀ

Clonbur/Cornamóna

Mystery Crock of Gold

Remember the song ‘if you go down in the woods today you will never know what you’ll ﬁnd’. Well it has happened, and the song is now being hummed by all the villagers here in Clonbur and has even made Jedward’s new release ‘Under Pressure’ take a back seat and all because…we have found a Crock of Gold! But being the sort we are down here, we wanted to return it to its rightful owner/owners provided of course that they could tell us where they lost it and how much is in it and perhaps even more so why they did not declare it during the tax amnesty?! The crock, brilliantly gold in colour, complete with matching coins can now be seen in the window of a famous land mark in the village, Tí Bhúrcha. The time limit for people to stake a claim to it was February 28th. We have now put the crock up for raﬄe and we will invite people to

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hazard a guess as to how much is actually in the crock at Tí Bhúrcha on Sunday March 21st. A monster Texas Hold’em game will also be taking place on the night. Proceeds from this raffle will go to offset the costs of running The Connacht Sheep Shearing Championships which will take place in Maam Cross on Sunday 23rd of May. Part of the proceeds raised from the event itself in Maam Cross will go to the Diabetes Parents Support Group Galway. It was myself and Thomas Burke that found the crock, and it was due to a strong sun as we walked in Clonbur woods that made the crock glisten and caught our eye. Of course the first thing that entered our minds was the meteorite which has not yet been found. But when we got closer and had a good look we realized-sure there are no Leprechauns in space are there? It has to be a real crock. The crock was taken into custody by local Garda Alan Murphy and he could be heard humming ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ as he counted the contents of the crock. He will have to share the bounty on March 21st when the Crock will be returned to its rightful owner-but who will it be? Paddy Rock

New Health Centres Opened The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, officially opened two new health facilities on Friday February 5th in North Conamara between counties Galway and Mayo. Corr na Móna Primary Care Centre and Clonbur Primary Care Centre are part of the Oughterard / Clonbur Primary Care Team, which aims to provide accessible, high quality healthcare that meets the specific needs of the local population. Public health nursing and General Practitioner services are available on a fulltime basis in both centres. The health centres in Corr na Móna and An Fhairche (Clonbur) also have the facilities to provide services including community welfare, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and podiatry, as well as mental health and psychiatric services. Both of the centres accommodate WESTDOC out-of-hours GP services too. In addition, Clonbur Primary Care Centre houses the local Daycare Centre, offering supports such as meals on wheels to older people in the community. Speaking at the official opening, Minister Ó Cuív said: “This is a wonderful day for Conamara, as these official openings mark the culmination of years of hard work, determination and cooperation. Both of these health centres are proof of how much can be achieved when people in the local community and state agencies work together with a clear, common goal”.

Inishboﬁn

Annual RNLI Dinner Dance The third annual Inishbofin fundraising dinner dance in aid of Clifden Lifeboat will take place on Saturday 10th April. Once again, Inishbofin House Hotel will provide the venue and delicious food for the event. Following on from the success of the previous two years, the organisers hope to raise some much needed funds for the Clifden Lifeboat Station. The music this year will once again be provided by ‘The Amps’ from Clifden. There will also be a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses/individuals. Tickets for the event cost €50 and are available from Rita on 087-968-0514 or Orla on 086-837-2702.

Killannin

Community Centre Gym The Killannin community centre and gym is now regularly hosting a number of activities for both adults and children, including dance fitness classes, full body workout classes and yoga. The community centre is also home to a fully fitted gym offering weight monitoring, personal fitness programming and more, and all in the community can avail of these services at any time. For more information contact Peter and the team at the Centre on 091-550-220.

Kylemore Kylemore Abbey Day Retreats The ﬁrst retreat day for 2010 at Kylemore Abbey will take place on Saturday 27th March. This year the talks will relate to Benedictine spirituality and we will have as many Benedictine speakers as possible. The day will begin with a cup of tea at 10.30am followed by a talk at 11 am. There will be a break for lunch and the afternoon session will begin at 2pm. The day will ﬁnish at about 3.30pm. All are welcome.

March 2010

Letterfrack

Tar Éis na Féile Bríde 2010 Lots of sean nós was seen at this year’s Taréis na Féile Bríde weekend. The whole weekend was wrapped in the best of music and great crowds turned out for all the events. The weekend kicked off in Molly’s Bar with Emma O’Sullivan and Johnny O’Halloran of the All Ireland Talent Show fame who were joined by the brilliant Waterford banjo player Gerry Whelan. A fantastic night ensued and the large enthusiastic crowd cheered Emma’s fancy footwork and were enthralled by the high speed playing of Johnny and Gerry. In the midst of all the excitement a certain Sally was heard to say “I think I’ll take up the sean nós myself ”. Saturday morning music workshops with Marie Walsh, Yvonne Kane and Tommy Keane were well attended and proved highly entertaining and it was a lovely sight to see over 30 young players strutting their stuff in an afternoon session in The Bards Den. Saturday evening in Letterfrack church the Galway Gospel Choir, under the direction of Aisling Mitchell, created wonderful magic and were highly praised by an enthusiastic Fr. Gerry Burns who warmly welcomed the choir. He also was lavish in his praise for the Hernon Trio and their friend Claudia Staunton. The night finished in The Bards Den with the Cajun Trio Jimmy Fitz , Paul Gunning and John Martin who held a large and vibrant crowd captive until the wee hours. On Sunday afternoon the Cunningham family gave a sean nós workshop which was attended by almost 30 eager dancers of all ages. Later in Molly’s the workshop participants showed their style to the wonderful music of Johnny Connolly, Marcus Hernon, Don Stiffe, Yvonne Kane, Brendan and Prionsias Hernon and James Coyne. Some brilliant dancers such as Padraic Hopkins and his son, the Cunningham family and Canadian clog dancer Nathan Poloski really captured the packed audience. Proceeds from the concert went to Concern. A special postscript to the weekend was the mighty storyteller Clare Murphy who visited Letterfrack NS on Monday and enthralled the children with a full day of storytelling and what a day it was. The next event in the CEECC calendar will be the Mol an Óige Concert in the Church of Ireland Clifden on March 12th.

Citizens Information Service The Letterfrack Citizen’s Information service will be available at Connemara West (Portacabin 4) on Tuesday 9th and Tuesday 23rd March 2010 from 1:30-4:30pm. If you have any questions about Social Welfare, pensions, housing, consumer aﬀairs, employment, education or any of your rights or entitlements call us on 087-130-1100 or just drop in. A wide range of application forms and booklets are also available. For more information call 095-22000 or 087-130-1100/ Email:clifden@citinfo.ie or go to www.citizensinformation.ie.

Maam

Joyce Country Echo The Christmas Issue of the Joyce Country Echo sold very well in shops in Maam, Leenane, Cornamona, Clonbur, Finney and Recess. The editorial team are currently requesting items for the Summer issue which will be published in June, articles, news items, group news, poetry etc. Photographs of long ago would be very welcome, with names with the photos please. All photographs will be returned. Email: anita.hanley@hotmail.com or post to Joyce Country Echo, Maam, Co. Galway or 091-571-108.

Maam Women’s Group The ﬁrst Women’s Group meeting of 2010 took place in Ionad Pobail an Mháma on February 1st. This was a planning meeting to discuss projects for the coming year. Some of the activities include evening classes, guest speakers and a weekend away for group members later in the year. The Women’s Group would like to thank the VEC and Galway County Council Arts Department for funding for the evening classes. Maam News continued on page 8

Send in your news, views & photos to news@connemaraview.com or phone 095-22888 Connemara View Newspaper

Claddaghduﬀ

Snow Queen Spectacular! The fundamental ‘good versus evil’ tale penned by Hans Christian Andersen, ‘The Snow Queen’, was brought to the stage in a magical and sparkling production by Cleggan/ Claddaghduff National School on Friday 19th February in Claddaghduff Hall (and they even managed to get it to snow on the day!). Within the first few minutes you could see why this story is a firm favourite with schools world-wide. The Snow Queen is a story that gives you the complete package, including great songs, dramatic scenes and a large cast list which gives everyone a chance to shine. And shine they did, aided by the outstanding work of Musical Director Breda O’ Toole, enchanting costumes and stage design by Rebecca

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Walsh, and the atmospheric sound and lighting courtesy of Michael O’Malley. The children after many months of practicing and giving up personal time -even rehearsing during their summer holidays-easily transported you into the icy kingdom of ‘The Snow Queen’ as they gave a performance worthy of any theatre company. There was no ticket price for the show and door contributions managed to raise over €1,000 which will be forwarded to Sr. Rose of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary in Haiti, and to Br. Gregory, Brothers of Charity ‘Nisansala’ in aid of orphans in Sri Lanka. The entire cast was: Aoife Scullion, Alice HannonO’Toole, Reg Gyandi, Lauren DeLappe, Caroline Conneely, Jordan Mulkerrin, Conor Ryan, Annabelle Mulkerrin, Kevin Scullion, Oisin O’Malley, Oisin Mulkerrin, Eoin Gordon, Manon West, Rachel Laﬀey, Naoimh Shanahan, Brendan Conneely, Steafán Acton, Alana Cazabon-Sullivan, Céití

March 2010

Daly, Sinéad Daly, Shannon Mulkerrin, Sarah Dickinson, Caylem Young, Lauren Walsh, Christopher Hayes, Brian King, Lewis Dickinson, Ronan Conneely, Eoin Gordon, James Allen, Patrick O’Holleran, Jerry Ward, Nathan Mullen, Jordan Ward, Hugh Manley, Mollie Walsh, Hannah Gordon, Michelle Mulkerrin Aimee Gordon, Hilary Joyce, Leanne Hayes Nikita Mc Loughlin, Megan Walsh, Grace Cafferkey, Evelyn Gordon, Jennifer De Courcey Singing Chorus: Saoirse Newman, Anna Shanahan, Jodie Grover, Nancy Duffy, Angela Coyne, Jackie Hannon, Madeleine Joyce and Diana Canning. Many thanks for the support of Fr. Tony Neville, Terry Minogue, Stephie King, Cleggan-Claddaghduff Community Council, The Local Lotto, Clifden Tool Hire, Connemara Community Radio and the children, parents and teachers, especially Marie Bourke, Bernadette Conroy and Eileen O’Malley. Well done to all! Photo and story courtesy of Paula Bann

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Maam continued from page 6 Computer Classes

Computer Classes took place on Thursday evenings and the tutor was Karen Elliﬀe from Moycullen. The 12 participants hope to do a follow-up course later in the year. The course was interesting and enjoyable.

Art Classes Art Classes began on February 15th and participants are from Maam, Leenane, Maam Cross and Recess. The tutor is Mary Hession from Renvyle. Mary is teaching painting of landscapes, still life, etc in acrylic.

Parish of Kilbride Some copies of the Parish of Kilbride Centenary Book are still available in local shops. Items featured in the book include a brief history of the parish (which includes Leenane, Maam and Finney), also memories from the past, interviews, local events and photographs from long ago. The book costs €10 and is a mine of information for people at home or overseas.

Fundraising for Haiti The teachers and pupils in Scoil Náisiúnta Thír na Cille organised a very successful Pancake Party in the school on Shrove Tuesday February 16th. €620 was raised for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Local Church collections totalled €2395 and this money has been sent to the Gena Heraty Fund for orphans in Haiti.

Engagement Congratulations and best wishes to Garrett Keane, Maam and Ursula Cribbin, Claregalway who got engaged recently. R. Hanley

Moyard

Moyard/Ballinakill FF Cumann At the recent AGM of the Ballinakill FF Cumann which saw the largest attendance for a number of years, lots of new faces have joined forces with the Cumann to give the Ballinakill/Moyard community a better political voice. With such issues as the state of the roads, the new water scheme and bus stops, the Cumann as a whole intend to bring all these subjects up to higher authorities. On the night Maureen Batley was elected Chairperson, Patricia O`Halloran Cumann Secretary and Gerard O`Halloran, Treasurer. The next meeting will be held on Sunday 28th March at 8pm and new members are welcome and can contact the Secretary at 095-21688. Patricia O`Halloran, Cumann Secretary

Moycullen

Outer Bypass Site investigation works commenced in late February on the Moycullen Outer Bypass. The drilling of boreholes and trial holes along the route of the bypass is to take place over the coming 3-4 weeks. Local Councillor Sean Kyne has stated that he and the local branch of the IFA had requested that this work be carried out early in the spring before lands are closed oﬀ for silage and hay, and the NRA agreed to

do this. Cllr Kyne has stated that this is the ﬁrst step being taken on a range of investigative works been carried out regarding planning of the bypass. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will also be prepared as part of this process, according to Cllr Kyne. Cllr Kyne also added that there are some complaints about monies being spent on planning this project, considering the cuts in roads funding. “However”, he stated, “we have to spend money on planning if we are ever to get a proper N59. When the Outer Bypass was ﬁrst planned ten years ago it was let die and I hope that now that it has been resurrected that progress will actually be made towards delivering the road’. Cllr. Kyne also explained that this road will likely have to go through an oral hearing as part of the planning stage.

Oughterard

St Patrick’s Day Parade This year’s St Patrick’s Day in Oughterard promises another great day of local entertainment and celebration, with the parade once again set to take centre stage. The parade will start at 1pm from Station Road, where groups will assemble beforehand. There will be live music in all venues after the parade and there has been a great response of entries to the parade to date. Entry forms are available from the Oughterard Tourism oﬃces, call (091) or by e-mailing info@connemarabegins.com.

Memorial Seat On Sunday February 14th a seat on the pier at Oughterard was blessed by Fr Jimmy Walsh and dedicated to the memory of the late Jack Cronnelly. Jack was a well known ﬁgure who ﬁshed from the pier daily for most of his life

Oughterard Community Council News The Oughterard Community Council has recently laid some major ground-work to taking on a greater role in the Oughterard Community. The first step was to become a Limited Company under our new name, The Oughterard Community Partnership. We hope that this fresh identity will show our clear aim as a unifying group within Oughterard and renew our commitment to supporting community groups in their endeavours and undertaking projects of our own. We support smaller groups: Oughterard Community Partnership is happy to consider any community activity and offer support to groups with special projects and events. Our established group could save smaller and less formal groups from having to take costly and time-consuming steps to become official. We could help to facilitate grant applications, secure leases on land and support community events. Our Group Insurance Scheme: we also have a group insurance policy with BHP, which allows groups associated with us to be covered for only a small supplement or sometimes with no added charge. Many groups with one annual event have already saved hundreds of euros by working with us and we invite any group to contact us to see if they could avail of the same. We invite new members: We also invite any community group to send a representative to the Oughterard Community Partnership. Our group is expanding and we welcome any new members with a positive outlook toward creating a better Oughterard community.

Projects We Have Been Involved In: Oughterard Community Playground: Our most visible project currently is the Oughterard Community Playground, which is a sub-group of the Oughterard Community Partnership. It has taken time but this group has raised over €16,000 toward the project, secured funding from the Oughterard Credit Union and the Galway County Council. They have obtained a lease for the site from Corribdale Grounds and are working in cooperation with ESB, Eircom and the HSE to share some costs of lighting, cctv and common walls. Other projects that the Oughterard Community Partnership has assisted in are: organising public meetings on the Town Plan draft and submissions, reactivating the Tidy Towns Committee, bringing the Vintage Car Rally to Oughterard each June, working with Oughterard Together to unify groups and brainstorm, working to bring broadband to Oughterard, liasing with the Oughterard Show Committee for two years on entertainment (Best Dressed Lady

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Competition, Galway Bay Live from Oughterard and inviting the French Market), organising several information evenings on the Connemara Forum Grants, assisting in County Council Grant Aid information night and securing a seat on the Galway County Community Forum which networks with groups throughout the county and on a national level. We are also working on the community website: www. oughterard.ie, for which we are currently seeking grant funding. We plan to connect all Oughterard Groups and websites within this site and keep everyone updated on community activities. Please contact us with any questions about how your group could work with us. E-mail: info@oughterard. ie or Post: Oughterard Community Partnership, C/O Clann Resource Centre, Station Road, Oughterard, Co. Galway. Theresa Tierney, Assistant PRO, Oughterard Community Partnership Ltd.

March 2010

and he passed away in 2007. The seat project was organised by the Oughterard angling club with a signiﬁcant ﬁnancial contribution from the Corrib Navigation Trust. Photo: Jack’s sister Eileen Hennelly, son John, daughter Brigid Riviere, wife Philomena, daughter Norrie, his grandsons Jack and Aaron, Cllr. Padraig Conneely (centre) and Paul Stewart (right). Photo by Tom Broderick

Clann News Activities at Clann for March include: A new Drama/ Writers Groups on Thursday morning at 10 30am. Great fun and no experience necessary-who knows what talent you may have? Computer classes and the Getting Started Programme-for anyone wanting to get one to one hands-on computer skills, particularly if you are computer shy. Clann provides an affordable and confidential counselling service for anyone experiencing stress, loss, grief, separation or any other type of trauma. Counsellors are fully qualified and well experienced. Contact 091-557-633 for more details. The Rainbows programme is now starting in Clann on Mondays at 4:30pm. This is a support programme for children 5-12yrs who may have experienced trauma, loss or family separation. Facilitators are trained and the programme in the past has benefited many children. There is also a programme for older children called Spectrum, again an excellent resource for teenagers. Clann is hoping to set up an Outreach for Jigsaw in Oughterard. Jigsaw is a free support service for young people aged 15-25 in Galway City and County.Log on to http://www.jigsaw.ie/. If you are looking for support with relationships, stress, alcohol/drug related issues, sexuality, eating disorders, or some other area then why not find out more about Jigsaw. Would you like to befriend someone in your community? At Clann a new programme is being developed for those living alone or isolated in the community, and of course this will include older people. Contact Cliona for more information on 091-557-633. Citizens Information and MABs are available in Clann on Monday morning. Rooms are available for meetings and training for anyone or group wishing to use the Centre. Continued on next page

Connemara View Newspaper

Oughterard

Roundstone

Would you like to join Clann’s Yarn or Art Group? The Yarn group is for anyone wanting to knit or crochet. Beginners are welcome and this takes place on Mondays at 2:30pm.Clann’s watercolour group is on Tuesdays, anytime from 10am onwards. If Clann can help in anyway please do not hesitate to contact us. Please let us know about any pressing needs you feel may need attention in the wider community. Youth Cafe is also open on Fridays and Saturdays in Camp Street. All are welcome.

Fr.Breen

Clann News continued

Open day at Corrib Gym The Corrib Gym at the Oughterard Community Centre is holding an open day on Saturday March 7th from 10am to 3pm. There will be discounts on memberships on the day and plenty of information on how to avail of reduced rates and beneﬁts throughout the year. All are welcome to attend.

Recess

Fr Pat Breen R.I.P. On Wednesday the 10th of February, our local priest, Fr. Pat Breen passed away. Our kind and humorous priest was on his way to Lourdes when he took ill and returned to Recess. He passed away suddenly on Wednesday in UCHG. His removal took place on Thursday 11th of February, which was The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, to St. Patrick’s Church, Recess. Mass was concelebrated by the Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary and Fr. John McCarthy who was a good friend of Fr. Breen. Many other priests attended the Requiem Mass. Fr. Breen was then brought to his beloved home in County Tyrone where he was buried following Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Omagh. Fr. Breen had been in the Parish for 17 years and was a great friend to everyone in the community. He will be sadly missed by all. May he rest in peace.

50/50 Draw Our local 50/50 draw is still a roaring success. There have been many local winners. Tickets are available at Joyce’s Grocery. Please continue to give your full support; it will greatly beneﬁt the whole community.

Confirmation Pupils from St. Theresa’s N.S. Cashel are preparing to make their Conﬁrmation on Thursday 25th of March in Roundstone. There are 7 pupils from St. Theresa’s N.S. Cashel, four girls and three boys along with ten pupils from Roundstone. Everyone is looking forward to their big day. We wish them well. Roma Joyce

Roscahill

Flowers for Mother’s Day Brigit’s Garden in Roscahill are offering free flowers to all mothers visiting on Mothers’ Day, Sunday 14th March. ‘It is daffodil time in the Celtic gardens’ explained director Jenny Beale, ‘so we are inviting people to come and enjoy the gardens for the afternoon. Flowers are always a lovely gift and every mother who visits on the day will receive a posy of fresh flowers.’ The popular family friendly gardens are open daily and the Garden Café will also be open on Mother’s Day. Brigit’s Garden is signposted between Moycullen and Oughterard; for further information see www. brigitsgarden.ie.

Condolences Sadly we mourn the death of Fr Breen of Recess who passed away recently. Although he was in constant pain and had to use a walking aid in his later years it did not take from his day to day running of his churches and his attention to his duties. His masses were special and he loved to sing along with the choir. He was well known for his monthly Padre Pio meetings and for his annual pilgrimage to Lourdes which he arranged for the people of Connemara. May you rest in peace Fr. Breen.

George Spencer The death has taken place of George Albert Spencer. George was the father of Carol Reynolds and grandfather to Philip, Emma and Sam of Ferron’s Shop, Roundstone. George was a patient in St Anne’s Clifden and a service was held in Christ Church of Ireland, Clifden. His remains were taken to his native Bray in Co. Wicklow immediately after the service. Our sympathies to Michael and Carol and grandchildren Sam, Philip, and Emma. May he rest in peace.

Mary Joyce Our condolences to Mary Joyce of Cashel’s family. Mary was mother to Pauline Kane, and sisters Mary Anne and Bridgie. May she rest in peace.

Baptism On Sunday February 21st little Aiden John Kane was baptized. He is the son of Katrina and grandson of Michael and Josephine Kane of Letterdyfe. The celebrations took place in the Shamrock Bar with a buﬀet lunch and music by Matt Dillon. Well done to all concerned and congrats all around.

Congratulations Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and Tom O’Donnell on 54 years of marriage this February-so to Mary and Tom one just has to say ‘bravo’! Martin and Thomas send their wishes to you both, and greetings also come from Mary in Sligo, Anne in Hong Kong and Catherine in Boston. Even though they are far away they all sent best wishes and heartfelt congratulations to you both.

Birthday Wishes Congratulations to Mary King from King’s bar on her 70th birthday last Wednesday. The family gave Mary a surprise birthday party in the Shamrock on Saturday and the grapevine says it was quite a surprise for her. Mary’s family took her to dinner in Abbeyglen Hotel and then they returned to a party in the Shamrock bar where all the locals and friends had gathered to celebrate with her. Mike Fahy and John Joe Ford supplied the music on the night. Mary’s daughter Geraldine and grandson Dylon were to be there for the party but were caught up in the snow storm in New York but arrived the Sunday morning with Eileen, who was on a surprise visit

Connemara View Newspaper

from Florida as was Ann Marie from London. So congratulations Mary, may you have many more.

Roundstone Bingo Over the past few weeks Richard has been reporting on a bingo for Roundstone and he has just conﬁrmed that a licence has been granted by the courts. So it will be all go to get this up and running in the next few weeks!

Pot Holes Firstly I must say what a great job was done by Galway Council in various parts of the road between Roundstone and Ballyconneely with the new black top in place near Fonacree and again before you get to Ballyconneely village. This has improved immensely, but I feel that they have forgotten about the rest of it, which is in a diabolical state with potholes and rough surface. Between Roundstone village and the turn up to Errisbeg House is a disgrace; even the walkers are complaining about this stretch as they are afraid they will twist an ankle the surface is so bad. Again at the turning to Murvey there are some huge potholes but what I deem to be the most dangerous section is just before Ballyconneely. If you are coming from Roundstone avoiding potholes and a car coming from Ballyconneely is doing good speed on the new section, I could see a serious accident waiting to happen on that corner, which takes you down to the little beach there. So guys please rectify this and make us all happy!

Water Galway County Council’s Jim Cullen has assured the people of Roundstone that the water from the public supply is totally safe, and that the treatment plant in Carna was up to the highest standards, and that people could be assured that the water reached the quality levels in Europe. This is great news, but tell me why people are still drinking bottled water only, or are they all back to drinking tap water? Another question and

March 2010

one that is on all our minds come the busy season. Will we have ample water this summer should we have a dry one? I suppose only time will tell. Still, Kilkerrin is a long way oﬀ with lots of villages to cater for before reaching Roundstone!

Fr McCarthy Masses Sat 6th March Recess at 6pm, Sunday 7th March, Cashel at 10am, Roundstone as usual 8pm on Sat, 12 noon on Sunday. Following week-end: Ballinafad Sat. March 13th 6pm, Derravorada Sunday March 14th at 10am.

Noyelles sous Lens It is that time of the year when plans are afoot for the French trip with Richard and Geraldine Coyne with the Roundstone Youth Club. He tells me that this year he has been going to France since the year 2000 and this year’s group is the smallest since then. Disney world is one of the highlights and I’m sure they will all have a great time as ever. Ann Conneely

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GMIT Letterfrack Claim All Ireland Football Cup Mater Dei by a point after extra time and last year suffered a Ulster Bank HE Division 3 (Corn na Micléinn) GMIT Letterfrack 2-10, Blanchardstown IT 2-9 similar fate at the penultimate stage to eventual champions The finely tuned footballers of GMIT Letterfrack have finally managed to furnish All Ireland glory on the Connemara parish they represent. They worked the oracle in an enthralling encounter against a gallant and brave Blanchardstown at Maynooth on Friday February 26th. I say “finally” because Letterfrack’s arrival as a footballing force within the Third Level Colleges competitive structure is neither surprising nor unexpected. One could argue the case that their recent championship campaigns have laid the solid foundation required to realise this year’s historic breakthrough. In 2008, the Connemara College lost a replayed semi-final to

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Marino. The old saying “What doesn’t break you will make you stronger” springs to mind and therein lies the secret of last Friday’s achievement, namely, the ability of Letterfrack managers and players alike to transform the pain, the disappointment, the loss and the sense of adversity associated with those defeats into a recipe for success. There is also, of course, the small matter of a newly developed football field at the foot of Diamond Mountain, which they have put to good use in recent months. Letterfrack settled very quickly and their early dominance was reflected in the opening two points from half forwards Colm Maye and John McGuinness. Letterfrack full forward Sean Kenny added a third point from a free on 12 minutes but two similar efforts from Blanchardstown left the bare minimum between the two sides by the end of the first quarter, with another three minutes later. Wing forward Alan Benson restored the Westerners’ one point advantage on 20 minutes before the Dublin College were dealt a real hammer blow on 24 minutes with the concession of a well worked goal. Sensing that Blanchardstown were well rattled, the pre-match underdogs went for jugular in the run up to the interval. Kenny converted his third free and corner back Tim Scanlon then capitalised on a loose clearance out of the Dublin defence to fire home an inspirational point. This

March 2010

score extended Letterfrack’s advantage to six points with the half time whistle imminent. Disaster struck on the stroke of half time however, after a misdirected kickout in the final minute of the half was picked up by Blanchardstown wing forward John Daly. His speculative high centre across the face of the goal was fisted home by corner forward Sean Fagan. This opportunistic score, completely against the run of play changed the complexion of the match and threw the city side a lifeline which they scarcely deserved. Blanchardstown were well off the pace in that opening period, laboured and lethargic in their movement and devoid of any creativity or intention up front. Their opponents in contrast seemed to have options and avenues of attack all over the pitch. Robert McCarthy’s fourth free on the resumption cut the deficit to two points. Blanchardstown’s first point from play was a fisted effort on 38 minutes and once again there was only a point in it. The game was now beginning to turn in Blanchardstown’s favour. Remedial action was required and Letterfrack Managers Finian Sheridan and Ronan Steede duly introduced substitute Colm Caulfield into the fray while simultaneously redeploying Sean Kenny to midfield. The impact was immediate with both players involved in the lead up to Letterfrack’s second goal which was scored in spectacular soccer style fashion by James Ruddy. He then followed this up with a superb point from way out in the left corner. Continued on next page Photo top: GMIT Letterfrack 2010 Corn na Micléinn Champions. Back (l-r): Ronan Steede (Manger), Liam Prunty, Sean Kelly, Martin Scully, Micheál O’Mainín, John McGuinness, Cormac O’Droighneáin, Kevin O’Connor, Thomas Birrane, Paddy Naughton, Colm Caulfield, Sean Grealis, Alan Benson, Fiachra Coyne, Colm Maye, Ivan Jacob, Finian Sheridan (Manager).Front (l-r): James Murren, Thomas Cornyn, Brian Naughtan, Callum Creegan, James Ruddy, Michael Keane ( Joint Captain), Emmet Tormay ( Joint Captain), Tim Scanlon, Liam, Cooke, Ciaráin Mclaughlin, Thomás Higgins. Photo left: GMIT Letterfrack Managers Finian Sheridan and Ronan Steede and Joint Captains Michael Keane and Emmet Tormey pose proudly in the immediate aftermath of the Furniture College’s triumph. Photos courtesy of Arthur Tormay.

Connemara SportsView

Community School Football Team Off to the Finals

Pictured are the Clifden Community School football team who defeated Castleblakeney by 0-13 to 2-1 on March 3rd to progress to the ﬁnal of the Connaught Colleges Championship taking place in Ballinrobe on Saturday March 6th. Good luck! Photo courtesy of Ann Mitchell

GAA Scoreboard West U21 B Championship 21/02/10 Aran Islands 2-4 Barna 1-11 21/02/10 Renvyle 0-12 Clifden 1-8 21/02/10 Fr Griﬃns Eire Og 1-5 Carna/Na Piarsaigh 4-16 21/02/10 Moycullen 2-9 An Cherathru Rua 1-4

West U21 A Championship 20/02/10 Lettermore 1-18 Killannin 3-14 21/01/10 Oughterard 1-15 St James 1-7

‘Make Me a Diver’ Competition Scubadive West is currently running a competition which aims to find Ireland’s newest underwater explorer and to offer them their scuba dive training for free. Entrants are asked to submit some prose on why they should become Ireland’s newest scuba diver. The prize on offer is worth in excess of €800. It includes full tuition and associated costs, as well as the winner’s accommodation for the duration of their course; courtesy of the ‘Bard’s Den’ eco-hostel in Letterfrack village. Closing date for entries is 1st April 2010. Further details are available from the ‘Make Me a Diver’ page of www.scubadivewest.com.

Basketball Pictured left is the Corrib basketball team who competed in the County U12 Blitz held at Calasanctius College Oranmore on Sunday 28th February. Back (l-r): Johnny Kelly (Coach), Thomas Lydon, Oran Diviney, David Kelly, Eoin Talbot, Tony Jackson, Callum Palmer. Front (l-r): Ted McAndrew, Sam Lawrence, Alan Kelly, Neil Jackson, Seán Walsh, Art McAndrew. Photo courtesy of Harry Walsh

GMIT Letterfrack Win All Ireland continued The Connemara college now led by five points going onto the final quarter and appeared to have once again reasserted their overall supremacy. One sensed at this stage in the proceedings that Letterfrack would regain the initiative and the momentum but it never materialised. Their opponents deserve immense credit for the manner in which they dug so deep in the face of their impending doom. They simply refused to throw in the towel and proceeded to rattle off four unanswered points over the next seven minutes. Ruddy eventually responded for Letterfrack and Kenny tacked on another free to leave a goal between the sides with just five minutes remaining. Letterfrack appeared to have done enough to put the seal on a famous victory, but there was a further twist when their normally reliably defence failed to deal adequately with a long distance free which landed in the square. In the confusion created Blanchardstown wing forward Craig Lowndes managed to toe poke the ball over the line and into the net to the disbelief of the Connemara supporters. The sides were now level for the first time in the match. In fairness to the ‘Frack however, they didn’t panic. Kenny failed to land a forty metre free but he wasn’t found wanting on the ensuing kickout. A fine fetch was followed by an instant handpass to Maye who offloaded without hesitation to the unmarked Benson and he confidently fisted over the winning point in nonchalant fashion. When the referee finally blew for the last time there were unbridled scenes

Connemara SportsView

of joy among the Connemara contingent. Letterfrack had nearly conspired to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory but ultimately the day was theirs. This writer was hugely impressed by their ﬁtness and skill levels, work ethic, teamwork, comradeship, and above all self belief. Three Connemara players, Cormac O Droighneain (Bearna), Paddy Naughton (Bearna) and Micheál O’Mainin (Na Piarsaigh) have now captured All Ireland medals with a Connemara College and this is a source of great pride and joy to everyone involved in the development and promotion of Gaelic football in Ireland’s unoﬃcial 33rd county. I am reliably informed re all the other players on the panel that they adopted the mantle of becoming Connemara men for all their matches this year. Surely now we can give them the freedom of the region. In his acceptance speech at the post match presentation, joint captain Emmet Tormay thanked the team sponsors, Molly’s Bar Letterfrack and The Country Shop, Letterfrack. He also thanked The Furniture College for giving him the opportunity to experience this success. He acknowledged the supportive role of the local community and he concluded by stating that all of his players considered themselves to be on a mission in Maynooth to bring an All Ireland title back the Connemara for the people of Connemara. They have succeeded in their mission and in the process have left a wonderful legacy that will endure for many generations to come. We commend and congratulate them on their outstanding contribution to Cumann Lúthcleas Gaeil in Connemara. Paul Gannon

March 2010

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ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL West Coast U13s Retain Division Cup

The under 13s also continue to set the pace in their league and now look favourites to complete the double. Managers Brendan Kane and Terence Mullen are doing great work with the lads and will have them ready when the league resumes. They have won every game so far, so ﬁngers crossed for more.

West Coast Utd 4 Kilshanvey 1

Seniors

For the second successive year, West Coast Utd left Terryland Park with the silverware in the 1st Division cup final. While last year’s final was played in 30 degree heat, this year the teams were welcomed onto the pitch with a shower of rain, hail and snow. The weather was on nobody’s mind when Jim Manogue of the Galway District League presented the trophy to West Coast United Garóid King. West Coast had great performances all over the pitch but it was their teamwork that proved the difference to their North Galway opponents. Matthew McCarthy had a fine game between the sticks, Nathan Staunton was a rock at centre- back, but it was the sharpness of Colm Coneys and Fechin Mitchell in attack that bagged the goals. Mitchell coolly slotted home the opener, Coneys superbly chipped the keeper for the second and Mitchell notched his second for a 3-0 half time lead. Whilst the game was over as a contest, Kilshanvey continued to battle but were killed off when Fechin Mitchell pounced for his hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining. The huge West Coast support was already celebrating when the Kilshanvey Boys grabbed a very late consolation goal. It was a noisy, happy busload of youngsters who made the 50-mile journey back to base in Letterfrack. Food and drinks were arranged in the College Café. It was great to see all the smiling faces and somebody even dared to mention the ‘3 in a Row’!

No league action has taken place yet in 2010, but West Coast Utd have moved into the Divisional Cup quarter ﬁnal with a 3-2 victory over Milltown FC. Goals from Stephen Heanue, Shane Lydon and Danny Sammon gave us a 3-0 half time lead, but Milltown scored twice in the second half to set up a nervous ﬁnish. Next up is Ramblers FC in an away tie where West Coast will have to be at their very best. Our interest in the Michael Byrne Cup is over, following a heavy defeat away to Premier Division team Colmanstown. For an hour our lads more than matched their opponents but in the end had to concede defeat to the well drilled home side. West Coast had defeated Renmore in the previous round leaving Galway with a 4-3 victory. Stephen Heanue, Shane Lydon, Eoin O’Neill and Simon Heanue Joyce scored the goals that stunned the city side. Stephen Heanue continues to lead the goal scoring charts but Lydon is keeping the pressure on. The Reserves continue to have a successful season and are getting loads of home games because of the wonderful surface on the new pitch in Letterfrack. The Reserves are an essential part of the club and they continue to improve all the time.

Angling

Celebrity Darts Exhibition: Play “The Bull”

Corrib Fishing Season Opens

Renowned English darts player Terry Jenkins is to play a series of exhibition matches at the Station House Hotel on the evening of March 6th as part of the locally organised ‘Celebrity Cup’. Competition winners win the opportunity to play against a world class player. Terry, known as ‘The Bull’ on the professional darts circuit will play a total of 20 matches with the ﬁrst 5 being local competition and league winners. Terry Jenkins has reached number four in the world rankings and is currently ranked number four in the Professional Darts Corporation Order of Merit. Entry to the event costs €10 for adults and €5 for U 16s, and includes entry into a draw to play a match against Terry on the night.

All Ireland Darts Victory Pictured below is Paul Leech who recently won his 8th All Ireland medal in darts playing for Donegal who defeated Cork by 7-3 in the ﬁnal. Paul is a brother of Ann Mitchell of Ballyconneely and is shown here celebrating his win with his niece and nephew Áine and Fechin Mitchell. Photo courtesy of Ann Mitchell

West Coast Under 14s have qualified for a Connacht Shield Quarter Final with Roscommon Town following an excellent 1-0 away win over Cregmore/Claregalway. A tense, tight affair was settled by a Brian Holmes penalty with 7 minutes remaining. Management described the win as a brilliant team performance. They will need to be as good against the Rossies. West Coast Under 10s begin training on Thursday evenings in Ellis Hall at 5pm. All Under 10s in North West Connemara are welcome and coaching is by FAI qualified coaches. For more information contact Finian Sheridan at 086-088-2941. Joachim Lydon Photo below: The Cup Winning West Coast Utd U13 team. Photo left: West Coast U13 Captain Garóid King lifts the cup in celebration. Photos courtesy of Joachim Lydon and Ann Mitchell

On the opening day of the fishing season on the Corrib on Monday February 15th the first prize in the category of a fish weighing closest to 2 lbs was won by Derek King from Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway with a trout weighing 1.75 lbs.

The best dressed angler went to John Oliver Molloy and the prettiest angler was won by Joan Donnellon. The prizes were awarded later that night at Faherty’s Bar, Oughterard. The annual blessing of the boats on Lough Corrib took place at Baurisheen, Oughterard the day before on Sunday February 14th. The service was conducted by Fr Jimmy Walsh and included in the ceremony was the presentation of a new racing niamhóg donated to the young oarsmen and women of Glann and Baurisheen by a local man who wishes to remain anonymous. Photo by Tom Broderick

CONNEMARA RUGBY

Under 14s

Under 10s

Page 12

Darts

U18 Cup for Oughterard The Oughterard U18 side claimed the U18 cup at Terryland Park on Sunday February 21st with a late 3-2 win over city side Mervue United. Ryan Lucy put Oughterard ahead only for Mervue to equalize two minutes later, and they added on another just after the hour mark to make it 2-1 to the city side. Oughterard’s Patrick Walsh levelled matters just before full time with a header from a free kick from Cathal Sweeney. Another header from Jordan Waller sealed the deal for Oughterard just four minutes from the end of extra time, after what was a close call throughout with little separating the teams.

March 2010

Our last game was away against league leaders Midleton and had we any luck with our kicks we could have sneaked a win or at least got a bonus point. David McDonagh scored a fine try in the first half and Kevin Keogh got one in the second, but we only got one kick all day. Our next game at home on Saturday March 6th against Navan is a very important game for us. A win would move us a bit further away from the drop zone. Should we lose, we will be in a big battle right up to the last game at home to Naas on April 10th. We are away to Carlow on March 27th. At the moment all we are concentrating on is the Navan game and with nearly all available for selection, we hope to get the desired result. A big help in the last home game was the support that turned up and hopefully we will have another big on Saturday and another win. Juniors The juniors had a good win in Ballinasloe last week trailing by three points with five minutes left when a good break by prop forward John Davis brought play into the home 22, and a good offload to MacDara Walsh set up a try in the corner. Our regular kicker was having an off day with the boot so John Davis took over the kicking and landed the ball over the bar, despite having one eye nearly closed from an earlier bang. Hopefully he should be fully recovered for the final game away to Carrick on Shannon. Underage The U17s were unlucky to go down by 5 points to Monivea in the quarter final of the cup. Monivea are the favourites for the cup and only for we had three missing due to the flu we could have taken this game. The U15s are away to Westport this coming weekend in the cup and are training well for it. The U13s went down 20-7 to Ballinasloe. Next Saturday, March 6th, the U11s are in Athlone for the Connacht Blitz. We wish them well. Peter Keane

Connemara SportsView

Connemara Pony Spring Festival From Thursday 25th March to Sunday 28th March the town of Clifden will come alive as visitors from all over Ireland, Europe and the United States will ﬂock to the capital of Connemara to share a common interest, the Connemara Pony. The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society is organising its 6th annual Spring festival. The festival will kick oﬀ on Thursday with a photo exhibition by Nina Gustafsen in the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel at 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Nina and her husband have been travelling from Sweden

to Connemara since the early 1970s and have accumulated a wealth of interesting photos over this time, which Nina is kindly sharing with us. On Friday morning colt owners will arrive at the show grounds with their colts awaiting their fate at the much anticipated colt inspections. The colts will be assessed by three of the Society’s inspectors and classiﬁed accordingly. On Friday evening in the Station House Hotel breeders’ knowledge will be tested with the popular table quiz at 8pm. A special sale of Registered Connemara Ponies aged three and over will be held in Clifden Mart on Saturday. This is a new event for 2010 and the ﬁrst time such a sale has been run in Clifden. The sale is sure to attract a number of high quality ponies. For

more information on the sale please visit www. connemaraponysales.com. Renowned author on the Connemara Pony and museum custodian Pat Lyne will give a lecture entitled “The Arabian inﬂuence in the Connemara Pony”. The lecture will take place in the Station House Theatre at 8pm and is guaranteed to provide a useful insight for any breeder. Lady Maria Levinge from Co. Wexford is a well known artist and pony breeder and is painting a specially commissioned piece of work to be auctioned after the lecture. A number of other items will also be auctioned on the night. The main event of the weekend will take place on Sunday when stallions from all over Ireland will travel to Clifden to participate in the country’s biggest stallion parade. It is an ideal opportunity for any enthusiastic breeder to choose a mate for their mare. The parade will start at 11am and run all day. Entries are now being taken for the Stallion parade. The colts which achieved Class 1

EQUESTRIAN Dressage League Prize Giving

Connemara Golf The Captains Drive In was held on Sunday February 7th at the Connemara Championship Link. Pictured above are: (l-r) President Agnes Stokes, Captain Dr. John Casey and Lady Captain Marie Bourke. 03/02/10. Open Stableford. 1st: John Kelly (12) 41pts, 2nd: Simon Heaslip (14) 38pts, CSS: 37pts. 06/02/10. Open Stableford. 1st: Liam O’Reilly (4) 40pts, 2nd: John Neary (39) 39pts, Gross: Jason McLynn (3) 34pts (b9),3rd: Martin Callagy (9) 38pts (b9),CSS: 38pts. 07/02/10. Captains Drive In. 1st: Kathleen Wallace (30)/ Donal Standun (12)/ Mick Gaughan (21) / Stephen Mullen (19) 58 ,2nd: Deirdre Murphy (16) /John Kelly (11) /Peter Conneely (21) /PJ Brennan (16) 60,3rd: Kathleen Burke (23)/ Gabriel McNamara (14)/ Julian Jeﬀ ries (20)/ Dermot Dooley (21) 61, 4th: Carmel Gaughan (25)/ Pat O’Rourke (12)/ John O’Brien (18)/ Martin Kearney(18) 61. 10/02/10. Open Stableford. 1st: James Glasby (13) 43pts, 2nd: Joe Joyce (13) 42pts. Gross: Neil McGill (5) 34 gross, 3rd: Doug Medcalf (15) 40pts. 14/02/10. Singles Stableford. Ladies: 1st: Ber-

Connemara SportsView

nie Ward (30) 46,2nd: Kathleen Burke (23) 46, 3rd: Evelyn King. (21) 45, Mens: 1st: Gabriel McNamara (14) 46, 2nd: Michael Moran (14) 44, 3rd: Martin Casey. (15) 43.Teams: 1st: Launcestown 292, 2nd: Renvyle Inn 289, 3rd: Mannions 288, 4th: Tom Kings 276, 5th: O’Dowds 275, 6th: Veldons 270, 7th: Central/Olivers 259. 21/02/10. 2nd Round Pub League. Ladies: 1st Kathleen Wallace (30) 42pts, 2nd Kathleen Burke (23) 40pts, 3rd Josephine O’ Neill (28) 40pts. Mens: 1st Mick Gaughan (21) 43pts, 2nd Vivian Cotter (18) 43pts, 3rd James DeCourcey (19) 43pts. Pub Team Scores after Round 2: Renvyle Inn 557, Mannion’s 537, O’Dowd’s 525, Pardy’s 523, Tom Kings 515, Veldons 507, Central 500, Olivers 496. 28/02/10. 3rd Pub Round League. Ladies: 1st Evelyn King (21) 35pts, 2nd Maura O’Connor 33pts back 9, 3rd Julie Donnellan (15) 33pts. Mens: 1st James DeCourcey (19) 44pts, 2nd John R King (18) 41pts, 3rd Pat O’Rourke (12) 40pts, Junior Prize Fergal Moran (19) 42pts. Team Scores after Round 3: Renvyle Inn 796, O’ Dowds 766, Pardy’s 765, Mannions 753, Tom Kings 752, Veldons 738, Olivers 735, Central 724.

Oughterard Golf 07/02/10 15 Hole Stableford Competition: 1st: Shaun Caldwell (14) 38-1=37 pts. 2nd: Michael Concannon (14) 35 pts. Gross: Cathair Conneely (6) 30-2=28 Gross pts. 3rd: Joe Earls (23) 34 pts (22B9) 4th Brian Langan (14) 34 pts (21B9). 5th: Tim Mullins (8) 34 pts (20B9, 13B6).

The prize giving of the Cleggan Beach Dressage League was held in Oliver’s Bar in Cleggan in early 2010. Class1 (u16): 1st Andrew Cahill/ Vinny, 2nd Alwyn Moran/ Harry, 3rd Ruth Brennan/Scarlet. Class 2 (u 16): 1st Alana Cazabon Sullivan/ Amber, 2nd Emma O’Toole/ Cashel Bay Joe, 3rd Catherine Gorton/Wendy Class 3 Turn out: 1st Alana Cazabon Sullivan, 2nd Ruth Brennan, 3rd Emma O’Toole. Champion Connemara Pony awarded to the Connemara pony with the highest points, went to Cashel Bay Joe ridden by Emma O’Toole. Special prizes were also awarded to Nicola Coyne, Grace Barry and Elise Galand for commitment, Joe Lynch for best improved rider, Joanne Conneely for most improved pony and Alwyn Moran for best supporter. We would like to acknowledge the support of all of our sponsors Connemara Pony Breeders Society, Red Mills Horse Feeds, The Abbey Glen Hotel, E J Kings, The Central, Walsh’s, Connemara Antiques, Lucy McEvilly, Cashel House, Connemara Pony Company, Corrib Saddlery, Pat Whyte and Cleggan Riding Centre. The Spring Dressage League will start on Sat. 13th March.

March 2010

status at the inspections will also be given a chance to parade. For further details on any of these events please contact the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society on 095-21863 or visit our website www.cpbs.ie or look us up on Facebook. Niamh Philbin

Auction of Connemara Stallion Nominations

On Friday March 12th, commencing at 9.p.m. in the Auld Shebeen in Moate, The Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders are holding a Table Quiz and Auction of Nominations to several of Ireland’s top stallions. For further information contact: Ruth Rogers P.R.O. 087-254-0164 rodgersruth@ eircom.net. This league will include a new novice class. For further information phone 095-44746, or check for updates on Facebook-Cleggan Beach Dressage. Photos: Top - Receiving awards for commitment at the Cleggan Beach Dressage League prizegiving at Oliver’s Bar in Cleggan were (l-r) Grace Barry, Nicola Coyne and Elise Galand. Bottom - Pat Whyte, Alana Sullivan with the Whyte Perpetual Trophy for Best Turned Out and Niamh O Dochartaigh. Photos & results courtesy of Judy Cazabon.

Page 13

REGIONAL Community Support Grants The Scheme of Community Support for Older People provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Aﬀairs has sanctioned the payment of grants to two organisations in Connemara. Oughterard Community Alert received funding of

€2,166 and the Ballinakill Active Age Club received €3,193.44. The Scheme encourages and assists the community’s support for older people by means of community-based grants to improve the safety and security of its older members. It is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance. Funding is available towards the cost of installing monitored personal alarm systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, external security lighting and other ancillary items of physical security equipment.

Connemara Roads Update Councillor Eileen Mannion has welcomed the news that the National Roads Authority (NRA) is planning a major Pilot Programme for the N59. This Pilot Programme, which will entail a new concept in design for national secondary roads, will see 42km of road from Clifden to Oughterard brought up to a new standard with the full width of the road to be approximately 6.5 meters to include cycle tracks and running strips. As this project is the ﬁrst of its kind in the country the NRA hope to have construction under way in 2011. It is hoped that the plans for the project will come before the Council in the next three to four months. However, Cllr.Mannion said the decision by Minister Noel Dempsey to slash funding for local and regional roads is an appalling decision and one that will impact on the safety of our roads. Galway County Council’s Regional

7,500 copies distributed throughout Connemara on the 1st Read online at www.connemaraview.com

and Local Road Grant allocation was €33,557,804 in 2009. In 2010 the allocation is only €23,101,894. Cllr. Mannion said “This is a massive cut in funding for the very roads which were worst aﬀected by the big freeze”. She said that she receives calls every day from people concerned about the safety of some stretches of road. “In some cases people have to drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid large pot holes and it is a known fact that poor road surfaces lead to accidents”. Galway County Council is continuing to carry out repairs on the worst aﬀected areas but as their budget has been slashed they have to prioritise the sections of road that will be resurfaced. Cllr. Mannion said that she will continue to lobby the Minister for Transport for increased funding for the roads in Connemara.

Restructuring for Sweeney

On February 11th, the High Court granted court protection for four companies owned by Connemara’s John Sweeney. An examiner was appointed and given 100 days to devise a survival plan for the hotel, service station and property businesses which are subsidiary companies of Black Shore Holdings Ltd (BSH). The High Court wound up Blackshore on February 10th. Blackshore operated as a holding company oﬀering management services to the other businesses in the group. Anglo Irish Bank which is owed €55m in loans and guarantees sought receivership for BSH and pushed for the same for Mr. Sweeney’s other holdings. However, Mr Justice Brian McGovern decided on examinership rather than foreclosure for four companies based on information presented to the court that the ﬁrms were performing positively and were being managed well by Mr. Sweeney and his employees. The businesses in question include Sweeney Oil (Retail), Thursday. Sweeney Oil (Moycullen), Slyne Properties and Sweeney Oil Service Stations, convenience stores and the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Galway. In a conversation with the Connemara View on March 3rd, Mr. Sweeney indicated that after a

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March 2010

process of restructuring that he hoped for a favourable outcome at the end of the examinership period.

North Connemara Area Forum The Annual General Meeting of the North Connemara Area Forum will be held at Clifden Station House Hotel at 8pm on Monday, 15th March 2010. Declan Mannion, Accountant, will speak about the Charities Act and the future of ﬁnancial reporting by charities. He will also give practical advice on fundraising and ﬁnancial management. Nick Ryan of BHP Insurance will speak about insurance for voluntary / charitable groups. Anyone with an interest in community and/or voluntary groups in the county of Galway is invited to attend.

Your Country, Your Call ‘Your Country, Your Call’ is a competition currently running in Ireland to ignite imaginations and inspire thinking. The goal is to pick two truly transformational proposals so big that, when implemented, could secure prosperity and jobs for Ireland. Proposals that could help change the way we do things, allow businesses to grow, employment to be created and prosperity to ﬂourish. It’s about helping to create sustainable employment and prosperity, whilst at the same time generating hope, conﬁdence, and positive thinking. There are a number of ways to support Your Country, Your Call and to get involved. You don’t have to submit a proposal to be part of it all. There are three avenues open to you: ‘Your Ireland Moment’, (it could be a great memory of time spent here, or a time when you felt really proud to be Irish, an occasion when you thought, “Wow, I didn’t think we could do that’ etc), Submit a Proposal, and Comment and Support. The 8 categories are Communications & Technology, Design, Engineering and Manufacturing, Education and the Arts, Energy and Environment, Food and Agriculture, Health, Sport and Nutrition, Professional Services, Tourism and Hospitality and Other. There will be two winners and each will receive €100,000 and a development fund of up to €500,000 for the implementation of the winning proposals. For full details of the competition, go to www.yourcountryyourcall.ie. The closing date for proposals is April 30th.

Leaping for Lifeboats! On Sunday February 14th a group of young volunteers from all over Connemara participated in a fundraising bungee jump at the Killary Adventure Centre in aid of the RNLI Clifden Lifeboat. There were some nerves on the day before the plunges were taken, but many whoops and cheers from the supporters who turned out to support the jumpers taking ‘the big bounce’. Sponsorship cards are currently being collected and a cheque presentation will be made to the Clifden Lifeboat fundraising committee in March.

Connemara SportsView

St. Patrick’s Day Events

Cafés, Pubs & Restaurants

Killary Cruises St. Patrick’s Day Party. Wednesday March 17th. Music from The Hogs. Departing 6pm returning 9pm. Bookings in advance: 1800-415-151. Oughterard Parade starts at 1pm. Assembly at Station Road. For information: 091-552-808 or email info@connemarabegins.com Clifden Parade starts at 1pm. Assembly at various points on the Galway Road. For more information contact Declan on 087-919-4837 or email admin@clifdenchamber.com.

Kylemore Pass Hotel and Restaurant, Kylemore. Ideal for small weddings. Tranquillity Room suitable for civil weddings & therapy-use. Restaurant for a special meal. Sailors Bar for affordable meals. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. Take friends for a drink in our unique bar. 095-41141. email: passinn@indigo.ie www.kylemorepass-hotel-connemara.com. Cashel House Hotel. 095-31001. www.cashel-house-hotel. com. Special Mother’s Day Lunch - March 14. Starter, main course, dessert & coffee. €30pp. Children’s menu available. All Mothers will receive a gift from our gardens. Georgina Campbell voted Kay McEvilly, owner of Cashel House, Host of the Year 2010. Afternoon Tea from 3-5pm, Bar Lunch 12:30-3pm. Sunday Lunch 12:30-2:30pm. Also available for special dinners. Awardwinning Heritage Gardens now open. Walsh’s Bakery & Coffee Shop. Market Street, Clifden. 095-21283. 095-21937. We are re-opening on Friday 12th March at 9.30am with re-opening weekend specials for you to savour should your mouth have been missing that “scrumptiously yummy” product and we think that you will warm to our extensive Coffee Shop renovations. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Sky Road, Clifden. Celebrating our 40th year. Cheers! Open for dinner 7 nights a week. Early booking is advisable. Tuesday night is Irish Night. Entertainment nightly. 095-21201. info@abbeyglen.ie. www.abbeyglen.ie. Clifden Station House Bar. 095-21699. info@clifdenstationhouse.com. Mother’s Day Lunch 14th March 2010 3 course lunch menu €25 pp, kids menu available. Bookings phone 095-21699. Winter Warmers - Roast Sunday Lunch with all the trimmings €11. Kids’ Portion €5.50. Friday Night Supper Club: Hot Dish & Glass of Wine €12. Live Music with Barry Ryan 7-9pm. Steak & Pint €15. Coffee & Homemade Cake €5. Please ask your wait staff about daily specials or check the Specials board. Griffins Bar. Main St, Clifden. 095-21370. NEW lunch menu served daily Mon-Thu 12-4pm / Fri 12-5pm. Takeaway now available. Watch sports in High Definition on our Big screen l 4 TV screens. Oliver’s Seafood Bar and Restaurant, Cleggan. Fresh seafood. Bar food served daily until 9pm. Trad Session on Saturday nights with local musicians. 095-44640. O’Dowd’s Bar & Seafood Restaurant. Roundstone Harbour. Open daily from 10.30am. Fresh seafood daily. 09535809. Spring Special: €19.50 2 course Menu or €23.95 3 course Menu. Available every evening during March. Restaurant open noon-3pm, 6-9.30pm. Breakfast served 10.30am-noon / Bar food noon-9pm.

Fundraisers

Table Quiz for Clifden GAA Juvenile Club. Mannion’s Bar. Thursday, March 4th. 9.30pm. UachtarARTs Oughterard Arts Festival fundraiser, Sunday March 7th, 8pm at the Boat Inn, Oughterard. Poetry, Music and Art with Louis de Paor, Ronan Browne and Kathleen Furey, all welcome. Mol an Óige Concert, Church of Ireland, Clifden, Friday March 12th at 8pm. Concert by the youth of Connemara with all funds raised going to their chosen charity. Car boot sale in aid of Connemara RFC Underage Rugby. Sunday 28th March at Connemara RFC Grounds, Clifden. 10am – 4pm. Toilets, refreshments, all welcome. Cars €10, with trailer €15, vans €20. Contact Irene on 087-901-7406. Inishbofin Annual RNLI Dinner Dance, Saturday April 10th, Inishbofin House Hotel. Music by ‘The Amps’ and raffle on the night. Tickets are €50 and are available from Rita on 087-968-0514 or Orla on 086-837-2702. Spring Buy & sell in aid of the Clifden Community Playschool. Rent a table for €20. Sell your wares, treasures, hand-me downs, new or nearly new. Home baking table. Bring a cake, bread, buns, biscuits, something YUMMIE to eat. Saturday 17th April. Station House Hotel. 11am3pm. Lucky dips, weight of cake and plenty more for everyone. For a table contact: Lisa: 086-079-2376. Sandy: 087-762-6917.

Art & Antiques

Prendergast Antiques. Lower Market St., Clifden. For that unique gift or special piece for your home why not peruse our extensive collection of antique furniture, silver, ceramics, collectibles, antique and reproduction glassware, prints, mirrors. Best prices, 32 county delivery, worldwide shipping, trade welcome. www.clifden.biz. Phone 087-629-6195 anytime. Clifden Antiques & Irish Art. Station House Courtyard. 095-22230. 087-664-9845. clifdenantiques@eircom. net. Make your home beautiful by investing in wonderful Antiques & Art. It’s a great time to buy as prices have decreased considerably. Come in – you may be pleasantly surprised, it’s a chance to invest your money wisely.

Automotive

D&N Auto Store. Suppliers of: Oils, parts, batteries, accessories, body kits, alloys, number plates. Now stocking tractor parts. Open 6 days 9am-6pm. Unit 4, Clifden Business Park. 095-30615. 087-274-4165. Omey Tyres. Connemara’s 1st complete mobile tyre ﬁtting centre. Our Recession Beater For You: Wholesale prices on new tyres. The best prices - Every day – Guaranteed. 24 Hour - 7 Days. Call Out Service throughout Connemara. Call Daniel Ryan on 095-44979 or 086-831-3462.

Books & Periodicals

Clifden Bookshop. Main St., Clifden. Oﬀering a comprehensive range of titles with particular emphasis on local Connemara history, Irish literature, guide books, maps, memoirs and book tokens. Extensive range of books currently selling at parity. Best sellers/thrillers/biographies. Also stockists of artist’s materials, cards and stationery. Provides ordering and mail order service. theclifdenbookshop@eircom.net. 095-22020. Open Monday – Saturday 10-5:30.

Connemara View Newspaper

Computers & IT

Driver Training John Lyden – Clifden School of Motoring. Road Safety Authority and UK approved driving instructor. Lessons given in Toyota Yaris Diesel or an automatic car. For details and appointments ring 095-21170.

Dry Cleaners

Education & Courses

Catering

A la Carty Catering: For all your home catering needs contact Joe and Olive Carty. 095-22842. 087-260-5961. alacartycatering@gmail.com.

Children’s Products

Brats of All Ages. Unit 1, Market St, Clifden. 095-22952. Berg Go Carts. Didi Cars. Warhammer Agents. Childrens clothes, accessories, toys, communion and Irish dancing tiaras. Also pet baskets and accessories.Party decorations etc only €1 per pack.

Advertise all year for as little as 21 cents per day. Call 095-22888 or go to www.connemaraview.com March 2010

Page 15

Education & Courses Spring Garden Seminars 2010. Cashel House Hotel. 09531001. www.cashel-house-hotel.com.Garden courses with renowned plants man, lecturer & garden writer Ciaran Burke. Practical demonstrations in the mature gardens of Cashel House Hotel. Preparation & Planning a Vegetable Garden March 6-7. Planting, Pruning & Propogating March 20-21. The Fruit Garden-Planning & Pruning April 10-11. Propagation Workshop April 24-25. Price per day (including lunch): €60. Weekend Rate (2 nights B&B, 2 dinners, 2 lunches): €199. Limited places. Please book early. Shooting Lessons: From the complete novice to the most experienced gun with Shane Bisgood. Coaching for over

30 years in Ireland & the Americas. Call 086-279-5118 or email: shanebisgood@eircom.net. Art Classes. Would you like to learn watercolour painting? One to one and small group classes available. Take a one oﬀ class or several. I can also come to your small group. Patricia Morrison. Derrigimlagh, Ballyconneely. 087-656-9255.

Employment / Positions

Full/Part-time job available at Upstairs Downstairs Cafe, Main St., Clifden. For more information phone 095-22809. Walsh’s Bakery & Coffee Shop. Market Street, Clifden. 095-21283. 095-21937. We are recruiting staff for the following positions: Kitchen Porter. Coffee Shop floor and

counter staﬀ. Confectionery department. For more details please call Martina between 2 – 5 pm daily on 095-21283. See ad on page 31. Are You A Conductor Without a Choir? Cantairí Chonamara is a Choir without a conductor. Clifden-based and some 30+ members strong, Cantairí Chonamara has performed such works as Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem and many less daunting pieces. For further information, contact Bill on 087-787-6660. Violinists wanted to form string quartet for fun and hopefully proﬁt. Must be able to read music and play up to grade 7 standard. Rehearsal space and music provided. Over 18s only. Professional attitude a must. Please contact Emmy 086-876-2363.

Entertainment

Station House Theatre, Clifden. Check out our fantastic line-up of cinema and live acts. www.stationhousetheatre. com. info@stationhousetheatre.com 095-30303. Video rental and purchase. Music. Video games. Video Vault. Main St, Clifden. 095-22033 The Ultimate Girls Night In!! An Ann Summers party is the great girls night in for you and your friends. Parties are full of games, fun and laughter and it will be one night you will not forget. To book your party or order a catalogue please contact Paula on 087-758-9710.

Farming

Calling ALL REPS Farmers. Do you want to get paid to learn? 10 – Hour REPS Courses. 5 – Hour REPS Courses. For further information call 086-827-8031. Yamaha Farm Quad 450cc. 4x4. Fully reconditioned. €1350. An extensive range of animal feeds including the Red Mills and Gain brands now on sale at Clifden Fruit & Veg. Main Street, Clifden. 086-836-5864. Diamonds. Renvyle. 095-43486. For all your farming, building supplies & home heating needs. Hay, straw, bedding, cement, steel, blocks, stakes, fencing, animal feedstuﬀs, gates, posts, coal, briquettes, Eco-Logs, wood pellets, fertilizers and much more. March Specials: 18% E&L Ration €235. Beef Ration €220. Polish coal “Champion” €325/tonne (25 x 40kg Bags). Briquettes €418/pallet (128 bales). Fertilizer now in stock. For the best prices & free delivery throughout Connemara call us today on 09543486.

Fashion, Shoes & Accessories Bree Manshop. Westport, Co. Mayo. 098-28518. info@ breemanshop.com. Visit our website at www.breemanshop.com. For top brands: Remus. André. Olymp. Gabicci. Douglas. Ben Sherman. Magee. Meyer. Pierre Cardin. Camel Active. We offer a superb wedding hire service and for all black tie functions. Hehir’s Woolen Store, Market St, Clifden. 095-21282. Fabulous new fashion Spring collections at amazing prices.. now stocking “Not Your daughter’s Jeans”-lose a dress size instantly! La Femme Bleue. The Square. 086-129-5548. jtmchantal@ hotmail.com. La Femme Bleue reopens on March 17th presenting a new range of unique and colourful products. Everything you will need to complete your outfit. Ohh! By Gum. Station House Courtyard. 095-21334. 086-025-9568. ohhbygum@gmail.com. An eclectic mix of fashion, vintage & organic, accessories and arts & crafts. NEW: ‘I Love Clifden’ re-useable bag. A percentage of profits raised go to Cancer Care West. New Spring collections for our younger customers. Many of these labels are new to Ireland so come and be the first to see. The sweetshop corner will have lots of new treats to try so come and find your new favourite.

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March 2010

Connemara View Newspaper

Financial / Legal Accounting & Booking available for Payroll, VAT, PAYE, P30s, Cheque Journals, Bank Recs. 087-763-7858. Recession Busting Review: Why not avail of our Free financial review to see if we can save you money on all your insurances. Then you will know for sure you are getting the best deal. Call Hennelly Finance on 091-586-500 or call Helena on 086-809-5607. Hennelly Financial Services Ltd. T/A Hennelly Finance is regulated by the Financial Regulator. Bookkeeping & Accounts service for self employed and small businesses. Very experienced financial administrator is available for all your bookkeeping requirements. VAT/ PAYE/PRSI returns, payroll, monthly accounts etc. Contact: Marian Herriott 087-647-8303. email: mherriott4@ gmail.com. Cashel-Connemara Credit Union. Clifden Office at Unit 3, Tom Barry House 095-21101. Cashel Office 095-31128. Therese Thornton, Solicitor, Clifden, Co. Galway. Professional, comprehensive legal service at reasonable rates. Call 087-262-5385 or email ThereseThornton@gmail.com for advice or a quote with no obligation.

casions: birthdays, anniversaries, births, funerals and weddings. Great gift ideas - whatever your budget! Delivery throughout Connemara. We cater for all budgets!

Home Furnishings

Eco Logs, sand, gravel. For coal & briquettes - Nobody beats our prices. Call today for a quote. Free delivery. Yamaha Farm Quad 450cc. 4x4. Fully reconditioned. €1350.

Teach & Baile. Main St, Oughterard. Open Mon – Sat from 11am. Contact Jackie on 087-280-3563. Slumber Night Mattress Sale. 3’ single only €100. 4’6” double only €150. While stocks last. Whistlestop “Gifts & Interiors”. Station House. 095-21532. 086-230-4210. whistlestop@eircom.net www.whistlestop. ie. Design-led home accessories at aﬀordable prices. Lamps, mirrors, throws, glassware sourced world-wide. Baby gifts including award winning Organics for Kids babygros and an eclectic range of jewellery & silverware. Wedding list & personal shopping source available.

Marine

Office Supplies Office Chat. We have closed our Clifden shop but you can still order direct from us for great value on office supplies, digital cameras and printers. Next day delivery. Quarryhouse, Rosscahill West, Mob.086-284-8603. 091-550014.email:ian@officechat.ie. Visit our website at www. officechat.ie. Homeware Plus. The Square, Clifden. Now in – a great selection of office supplies. Everything at discount prices! 095-21348.

Food & Wine McCann’s SuperValu. Cearnog Nua, Moycullen. 091555-107. Open 7 days. Mon-Fri 8am -9pm. Saturday 8am-8pm. Sunday 10am-6pm. Free delivery in Moycullen. Geraghty‘s Supermarket. Carna. 095-32239. Clifden Fruit & Veg. Main St., Clifden. 086-836-5864. Full selection of fruit and vegetable at great prices. Now selling an extensive range of animal feeds. Connemara Hamper. Lower Market St., Clifden. Large selection of Irish and European farmhouse cheeses. Organic wines, fruit and vegetables. Freshly baked breads and baguettes. Gourmet lunches and Illy coffee to go. Open all year. Winter hours; Thurs-Sat 10-5. 095-21054. Des Moran Family Butchers. Main Street, Clifden. 09521232. Home of the national award winning sausages, white pudding and black pudding. Catering to all of your meat and poultry needs. Malone Meats. Lower Market St., Clifden. Stop in for quality and service from your local butcher. Clip out this ad to receive 10% off your purchase. 095-21868. SuperValu Clifden. The Square, Clifden. 095-21182. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday/Saturday 8am-9pm. Fri 8am-10pm. Sunday & Bank Holidays 8:30am-7pm. An Bhean Feasa Health Store. Market St., organic wholefoods, nutritional supplements, herbs, natural remedies, organic face and body care. Clinics in kinesiology, acupuncture, Bowen Therapy and massage. Professional, confidential and expert service in both shop and therapy centre. 095-30671.

Information Services & Media Does your partner? Call you names, constantly criticise you? Control your access to money/phone/car etc? Monitor your time, threaten you and the children? If so you may be in an abusive relationship. For free, friendly, confidential advice and support call D.V.R. 091-866-740. Connemara AA. Tuesdays, Old School, Recess, 8.30 pm. Wednesdays, Clifden Day Centre, (behind the hospital) 8.30pm. Thursdays, Clifden Day Centre, 8.30pm. Fridays, Ellis Hall, Letterfrack, 9pm. Saturdays and Sundays, Clifden Day Centre 12 noon. Clifden Citizens Information Centre. Free and confidential service to the public. Galway Rd, Clifden. 095-22000 and 087-130-1100. Thurs 7pm-8pm. Friday 10:30am- 3:30pm. Connemara Community Radio. Letterfrack. 095-41616. Connemara View Newspaper. Clifden. 095-22888. AWARE Depression Support Group meetings take place at the FORUM Office (upstairs), Ellis Hall, Letterfrack on the 1st Thursday of every month at 8pm. Contact Margaret 095-21741 afternoons except Tuesday for more details.

Jagur Organic. Get your organic fruit and vegetables from your local organic grower. Our produce is available in the Countryshop Letterfrack and the Connemera Hamper Clifden. Plant sale at the Clifden Market on Friday February 5th. 095-44855.

Pets, Animals, Ponies & Poultry Dog for sale. Beautiful male foot beagle 10 months old. Lovely temperament. Price €200. 087-989-8776. Connolly’s Boarding Cattery near Rossaveal. Open all year for long or short stays. Designed for safety and comfort of cats following FAB guidelines. All cats must be vaccinated and males neutered. Tel. Maureen on 086-398-8179 or 091-572-000 or visit www.purr.ie.

Items for Sale or Rent

Connemara Florist. Main St., Clifden. Monday -Saturday 10am-5:30pm - 095-21565 connemaraflorist@gmail. com - www.connemaraflorist.net. Fresh flowers for all oc-

For Sale: ¾ violin with carry case and bow. Excellent condition. €120. 095-21688. Car for Sale: Opel Zaﬁra Club 06. 1.6 petrol. 7 seater. 40,000 miles. 087-912-8169. Evenings. Connemara Bouncing Castles for hire for all occasions, supplied with rain covers, delivered, erected and collected. 095-21219. For Sale: Casio Keyboard (CTK-230). 49 full size keys. 100 Rhythms plus tones. 50 Songbank. €40. 095-21688. Diamonds. Renvyle. 095-43486. Coal, briquettes, pellets,

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2010

Flowers

Organic Fruit & Veg

Page 17

Pets, Animals, Ponies & Poultry

For Rent: 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and rooms to let, 5 minutes walk from Clifden town centre, fully furnished. 095-44924 or 087-249-8097. Renvyle. Cottage to let beside village and close to school. Rent allowance cheques accepted. 087-260-2717.

Restorations Church-Castle and Monument. Architectural and ecclesiastical restoration and conservation. Our service: statues repair and repainting. Marble altar works. Stained glass windows. Outdoor statues. Towerbells and clocks. Fountains. Crypts. Church furniture. Stations of the Cross. Vestments. Chalices and monstrances. Grotto statues. Also sandblasting and metal engineering works etc. Nationwide service. Purchasing-Statue showroom. Michele Thierbach G.R.A.D. www.studio-michele.com. www. nicholas-antiques.com. 091-556735.

Signs

Professional signage, display, design and print solutions by Grand Designs. Gortachalla, Moycullen. To view samples of some of our work please visit - www.gdesigns.ie For a free quote phone Patrick on 091-556-844. 087-781-3491. email pcusack@gdesigns.ie. Traditional Irish sign writing by ‘Studio Nicholas Connemara’. Moycullen-Tullokyne. 091-556-735. 087-220-3898.

Taxi Service

Photography & DVD Services Video Vault. Main St, Clifden. Call 095-22033. VHS to DVD transfer. Disc repair: 5 discs repaired for €10. Photos restored, rescued & reprinted. Have your photos digitally scanned, burned to CD, ready for print. Open everyday. Mon-Thu 11-10 Fri-Sat 11-11 / Sun 2-10.

TV/Satellite/Broadband Free to to air satellite service from Harrington Electrical Connemara. Full standard installation with box and dish €160. Hundreds of free to air channels. Call Paul on 087-144-1118. Wireless broadband. Aerial and satellite installation and repair. Peter Keane, Clifden. 095-21827. 087-668-7468.

Upholstery

Upholstery Service. Loose cover. Curtains. Blinds. Materials and swatchbooks available. Custom projects. Call Maurice or Agnes. 095-44902. 085-723-1774. 087-762-4983.

Websites Properties - BER Building energy rating (BER)call today for a quotation, also a solar panel and heat recovery ventilation installer.SEI registered. Contact Aodan on 087-066-0755 or email at aodanmacdonncha@gmail.com. Selling your house or renting long-term? Then you must have a Building Energy Rating. Contact Oliver Coyne today! 095-35813. 086-238-4195. olivercoyne@gmail. com. Listed on the SEI Register of BER assessors. Book now for your Building Energy Rating certiﬁcate which is compulsory for all homes for sale or rent from January 1st 2009. If you are buying or renting a new house or apartment now, you are entitled to a BER. BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Call Sinead at Matt O’Sullivan Estate Agents on 095-21066 or e-mail property@mattosullivan.com www.mattosullivan.com. Listing properties for long term rental.

Public Notice Properties Apartment for rent in Moyard. 2 bedrooms. Warm. Utilities included. Private separate entrance. Parking. 087-770-2460 or 095-41082. House for rent long-term on the scenic Sky Rd. Ocean view. Close to Clifden town. Private parking. 4 bedrooms (3 ensuite). Central oil heating. 2 open ﬁres. 086-354-7513. Rooms to rent in town centre. New house, all mod cons. 086-837-7120.

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Website Design: Creative, professional and aﬀordable websites by Cuán Mara Design, Letterfrack, Co. Galway. For pricing and to view portfolio visit www.cuanmaradesign. com. For a competitive quote phone Caroline Herriott on 086-079-1918 or email caroline@cuanmaradesign.com. Two Dog Computer & Business Solutions. Visit our new retail oﬃce on Bridge Street. 095-22194. 086-404-3125. Website design and development.

Wedding Services

Vintage and modern cars available for weddings, social or corporate travel and airport transfers. Our rare and unique cars are fully PSV licensed and insured. Special midweek rates. Visit our website or call us on 091-506896 or 087-990-2294. www.getawaylimos.com. Wedding Videography by Pat Coyne. Professional, friendly service. Two camera operators digitally capture your big day while blending into the background. Portfolio of videos available for review. References available. Package includes 4 copies of the edited video. Packages to suit every budget. Renvyle, Connemara. 095-43756. 086-406-2394. email: ﬁddisco@mac.com www.ﬁddisco.com.

The AGM of the Roundstone Community Development Council Ltd will take place in The Lower Community Hall, Roundstone on Monday 8th March at 9pm. All Welcome. 095-35044. roundstone101@eircom.net. www. roundstone.ie. The AGM of the Clifden & District Community Council will be held on March 24th at 8pm in Mannion’s Bar. For more information contact Sean Heanue on 087-7682212.

Quads

Galway Quads. Quads, buggies, repairs, servicing, accessories. Boley, East Barna. Contact Keith Trill on 087-988-6514 or email keith@galwayquads.com. www.galwayquads.com.

March 2010

Connemara View Newspaper

Trade Supplies & Services

Memorials/Headstones

Airflow Renewable Energy Solutions, Ballybrit, Galway. 091-764-761.www.airflowireland.ie. Daikin air to water heat pumps. Ground source geothermal heat pumps. IVT heat recovery ventilation. Solar panels. System design & project support. Domestic & commercial. SEI approved. Cut your oil bill by two-thirds with solar powered water heating. Call Michael Carey for a free no obligation quote. Testimonials from satisfied customers available. SEI grants available. Carey Solar Powered Systems. Sky Rd. Clifden. 086-603-9299. www.careysolar.com.

Painting

Alternative Energy

Building Supplies

Diamonds. Renvyle. 095-43486. For all your farming, building supplies & home heating needs. Hay, straw, bedding, cement, steel, blocks, stakes, fencing, animal feedstuﬀs, gates, posts, coal, briquettes, Eco-Logs, wood pellets, fertilizers and much more. March Specials: 18% E&L Ration €235. Beef Ration €220. Polish coal “Champion” €325/tonne (25 x 40kg bags).Briquettes €418/pallet (128 bales). Fertilizer now in stock. For the best prices & free delivery throughout Connemara call us today on 09543486.

Headstones. Surrounds, cleaning, inscriptions. Mongan’s Stonecraft. Memorials-fireplaces-flagstone-signage. Derryinver, Letterfrack. 095-43473. 086-199-1988. 087-130 -7752. Auro Natural Paints...let your house breathe again! Auro products contain no environmentally harmful additives like petroleum based solvents. For more information about our extensive interior and exterior high grade paints and care products, call Matrix Custom Interiors on 091-395707 or 086-366-5768. Painting and Decorating: Interior and exterior, timber floors sanded and varnished. Neat and tidy job guaranteed. Also offering garden and lawn maintenance service. Competitive rates. References available. Contact Johnny Coyne, Renvyle, 086-857-0302.

Plant Hire

Noel Connolly Plant Hire. Site work & land drainage. Top quality graded topsoil. Large volume of material available at €70 per load. Prices on extensions and renovations. Keenest prices around. C2 Reg. 095-23781. 086-247-6610.

washed gravel & decorative chippings. 1 ton bag delivered only €60. 5 to 30 ton loads of sand, gravel & stone available from €25/ton. All prices exclude vat. Corbett Stone. Natural Connemara Building Stone. 09521744. 086-247-5619. www.corbettstone.com. Cut stone by the bag or hand picked at rock bottom prices. Any quantity. Flag stones for paving. Unusual shaped stones for your garden. Good quality topsoil by the truck load or 1 ton bags. Delivered promptly. Our prices won’t be beaten. Washed and graded sand and gravel. Decorative stone chippings in a variety of colours for pathways, driveways and patios. Choice gardener’s bark mulch. Free delivery to your door. Just need a bag or 2 of sand, gravel, decorative chippings or bark mulch? We are now supplying 25kg, 50kg and 250kg bags. We also sell in bulk. Free delivery throughout Connemara. Mongan’s Stonecraft. Derryinver, Letterfrack. 095-43473. 087-130-7752. 086-199-1988.

Tarmacadam

Chimney Cleaning

John F. Hynes Chimney Cleaning. In business for over 30 years. Fast, clean, reasonable rates. Phone 091-555-317 or 087-231-5401.

Gardening & Landscaping Neighbourhood Gardening. Lawns mowed. Tidy beds and borders. Hoeing and weeding. Hedge planting and clipping. Lawns raked and seeded. Tree holes dug. Light pruning duties.Garden labour assist. Kerbing around lawn. Sleepers laid. Base for garden sheds. Compost areas created. Raised bed built. Fence posts replaced. Broken paving ﬁxed. Stone pointing. Servicing all of Connemara. Contact Peter 087-147-3308. NeighbourhoodGardening@gmail.com. Tree pruning, crown reductions, crown thinning, deadwood removal, tree removal, hedge cutting & chipping, est 1998. Alan Linnane. West Coast Tree Surgery. 086-284-8340.

Plastering & Tiling

Gates

Sand, Gravel & Stone

Windows

Tiler specialising in all types of ﬂoors & walls; Ceramic, mosaic, marble, terracotta, porcelain, slate, paving. Call for FREE quote & advice. Commercial & residential. Competitive rates, professional throughout. Paul Davis. Tel: 095-23803 Mob: 085-110-3035.

Connacht Gates Moycullen. Manufacturer of wrought iron gates domestic and commercial. Side gate, railings, balconies, stainless steel handrails, glass balustrades, customised stairs, ﬁre escapes. Registered contractor. 091-868-803. 087-261-6947. Email: conncoatfab@eircom.net.

Stonetech, Clifden. Call Seamus on 087-668-7437. The Original Bagged Sand Supplier. Soft & sharp sand,

Gutters

092223 Flaherty, Christy, Mannin, 09/12/09. To demolish and rebuild an existing agricultural store shed. 092231 RTE Transmission Network Ltd, Leenaun, 10/12/09. For retention for the existing 18 metre high community TV latticework tower with associated equipment within a chain link fence compound and access tracks. 092235 Wallace, Patrick, Keeraunbeg, 11/12/09. For retention of dwelling with garage and sewage treatment system on site with revised boundaries. 092238 Conneely, Pat, Aillebrack, 11/12/09 For the construction of domestic garage and all ancillary works. 092247 O’Cathain, Padraig & Brid, Gowla, 11/12/09. To (a) retain existing yard as a builders yard, (b) retain existing shed as a builders storage shed. 092248 O’Cathain, Padraig & Brid, Gowla, 11/12/09. To (a) demolish existing dwellinghouse, (b) construct a new dwelling house, (c) construct a new wastewater treatment plant and a new sand polishing percolation area. 092249 Conroy, Peter, Kylemore, 11/12/09. To construct a dwelling house, garage, proprietary eﬄuent treatment system, new road entrance and all associated site works. 092278 Le Dorven, Jean, Cushatrough, 17/12/09. To retain an extension. 092313 Joyce, Michael, Glengowla, 21/12/09. To construct an agricultural livestock shed 092315 O’Connor, Eileen Anne, Derryherbert, 21/12/09. To construct a single storey dwelling house, entrance walls, drive, wastewater treatment unit and percolation area and all ancillary site works. 092330 O’ Toole, Catherine, Errisbeg West, 23/12/09. To restore, reconstruct, and extend existing derelict/semi ruinous building as a dwelling house with a private wastewater treatment system and access road.

Connemara Seamless Gutters. Suppliers of roof line cladding and guttering systems. Over 17 years experience. Aluminum, UPvc. Wide range of colours. Free quotations. 095-41180. Gerry: 086-103-1053. Peter: 085-760-4130.

Insulation

Connemara View Newspaper

Planning Applications

March 2010

092348 Halloran, Bernie, Middle Quarter, 23/12/09. To renovate and extend existing stone cottage. 092349 Glynn, Mary, Corrnamona, 23/12/09. To construct a new fuel and utility garage and retain dwelling with revised site boundary. 092350 Walsh, David and Martina, Dawrosmore, 30/12/09. For the construction of a dwelling house, double garage and storerooms, tertiary sewage treatment system and ancillary services. 1010 O Coirbin, Sean, Streamstown, 08/01/10. Meadu agus athru a choinneal ar teach conaithe agus freisin garaiste/bothan. 1011 O Neill, Winifred, Aillebrack, 08/01/10. To demolish old house and sheds and construct a new house, sewage treatment plant and percolation area and all ancillary works. 10101 Ruane, Malachy, Carrowmanagh, 20/01/10. To construct a two-storey extension to the north-west elevation of the existing end of terrace house and all associated works. 10114 Joyce, Michael, Glengowla, 03/02/10. To construct an agricultural livestock shed. 10118 Cowgill, Harry, Clifden, 04/02/10. For changes to the design of the domestic garage granted under planning ref 09/1664 to construct a domestic garage. 10126 O’Reilly, Tom & Clare, Aillebrack, 05/02/10. For the demolition of existing dwelling house and garage and for permission for the construction of new dwelling house, garage and ancillary site works. 10139 Benner, Leisa, Inishnee, 08/02/10. For a single storey extension linking the two existing structures. 10159 Cleggan Lobster Fisheries Ltd,Dawros Beg, 12/02/10. To restore and extend existing oyster packing shed with an ancillary staff room and office, to replace existing semi-ruinous building with a fisheries’ caretaker/ managers house, to install a private wastewater treatment system and for all associated works with ancillary services. Continued on page 29

Page 19

Baroque Trio Concert

The next concert from the Clifden Arts Society will feature three superb musicians in a programme of baroque music. This concert is part of a Music Network tour and highlights the talents of Ariadne Daskalakis on baroque violin, Markus Möllenbeck on baroque cello and Gerald Hambitzer on harpsichord. This concert will take place on Wednesday March 24th in the Church of Ireland in Clifden and starts at 8pm. The ‘Trio Vintage’ will perform a programme including works by J.S. Bach, Handel, Baltzar, Matteis, Geminiani and Biber. Daskalakis has been playing on period instruments since her time with the acclaimed Manon Quartet in the late 1990’s and often performs without a conductor, following the traditions of the time. She has won many plaudits for her soulful playing, dazzling technique and astonishing ability to adapt her sound to suit diﬀerent composers and periods. The perfect foil for Daskalakis’s sparkling sound and rhythmic power, Markus Möllenbeck was for many years the principal cellist of the groundbreaking Musica Antiqua Köln under Reinhard Goebe and has also worked extensively with La Stagione Frankfurt and the Musiciens du Louvre. Gerald Hambitzer is one of most sought-after harpsichordists of his generation and has appeared on over 40 CDs.

Oughterard Arts Festival

A magical evening of poetry, music and art with Louis de Paor, Ronan Browne and Kathleen Furey will take place in the Boat Inn, Oughterard on Sunday 7th March at 8pm to kick oﬀ the promotion of the uachtarARTS Oughterard Arts Festival which takes place from April 23rd-25th. The poet Louis de Paor will perform a series of readings in association with the musician Ronan Browne based on a new bilingual collection of poetry Agus Rud Eile De / And Another Thing. Kathleen Furey’s art work from her Horizon series is featured in the new book and will be on display on the night and at the West Shore Studio on Camp St. The event is a fundraiser for the uacharARTS Festival and is the first of a nationwide tour for Louis de Paor and Ronan Browne. Everyone is very welcome to attend. Donations will be gratefully received on the night. The uacharARTS Festival takes place in Oughterard on 23-25 April. Now in its 5th year, the festival oﬀers a wonderful array of workshops, performances, projects and surprises for children and adults. A preview of the line up for the festival will be presented at the event on March 7th. The festival is organised by uachtarARTS – Oughterard Community Arts Group, which works in collaboration with Clann Resource Centre to run community-based arts events, workshops and other artistic projects.

Clifden Comhaltas Sean nós Dancing Classes

Clifden Comhaltas Branch is oﬀering Sean nós dancing classes with all Ireland champion Emma O’Sullivan. The beginners classes are open to all ages and will run for a 6 week period from 11th March 2010. Booking is essential as places are limited. To secure your place, please contact Michele on 087-2322451.

March Session The March session will be in the Central Hotel on

Page 20

Friday 26th March from 8.30pm. All musicians, dancers & singers are welcome. This will be a very special event as it is being recorded for Kevin Rohan’s “Traditional Half Door” on Galway Bay FM. For any further information, please contact Marie on 086-401-5342.

First Trad Festival Clifden Comhaltas Branch will be hosting the first Clifden Traditional Music Festival over the weekend of 23rd April. Clifden will play host to a variety of local and visiting musicians around the town. An opening concert will be followed by pub music sessions, music and sean nós workshops, outdoor entertainment on the Saturday night and numerous other events during the weekend. It’s the first time Clifden has hosted a fully traditional music weekend and we expect this to be an annual event on the trad music calendar. Full details will follow in next month’s Connemara View but mark the date in your diaries: 22nd-25th April.

Pirates of Penzance

Ceol Theatre’s next production is the popular comic musical ‘Pirates of Penzance’. Auditions will take place on Monday March 8th and Wednesday March 10th from 6:30 to 8: 30pm, and on Sunday March 14th from 3-4:30pm at the Station House Theatre. The shows will be staged in June. They will be casting both adult and children parts of varying sizes and levels of diﬃculty, so new participants are encouraged to come along and join in the ever growing Ceol Theatre cast of players! If you would like to be a part of this show or any of Ceol Theatre’s productions please contact John at 087-750-4697.

Exhibition of Quilting

The Oughterard Tourist Oﬃce is hosting an exhibition of quilting by local artist Linda McMulkin with various styles and displays to be seen on the walls of the premises. Oughterard Tourism welcomes exhibitions from artists in the locality, showcasing the talent and creativity of the area. All are welcome to drop into Oughterard Tourism to see this wonderful exhibition.

Local Involvement in Short Film

Clifden’s Kate O’Toole is taking on the role of executive producer in a new short film written by her close friend and colleague Allegra Huston, who runs a writing workshop for students of NUI Galway in Roundstone annually. ‘Good Luck, Mr. Gorski’ is described as ‘a love story about the benefits of moon travel for those on earth’ and Allegra has undertaken the innovative task of raising the budget for the production of the film via online contributions of $20 from individual backers of the humorous and irreverent tale. Many of the contributors to date are from the Connemara region and will be named as co-producers of the film, which is set to be filmed in New Mexico in July. The full script and details of how to get involved are available online at www.goodluckmrgorski.com.

making the eﬀort to get out to the audio-visual theatre in the Connemara National Park in Letterfrack on Monday evenings at 8.30pm. Mar 1st: Let the Right One in. Dir: Tomas Alfredson, Sweden 2008, 114 minutes, Language: Swedish. The undead are alive and well and up to no good in Scandinavia as this stunning film rings the changes on the classic Dracula format. Oskar is a bullied 12-year old who dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can’t stand the sun or food, and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back. Mar 8th: Private Lives of Pippa Lee. Dir: Rebecca Miller, USA 2009, 98 minutes. Starring: Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Maria Bello, Monica Bellucci, Blake Lively, Julianne Moore, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Mike Binder. Adapted from her own novel, Rebecca Miller’s third film as writer-director is a story of well-heeled American middle-class life, narrated in flashback by the eponymous Pippa from her position as an unoccupied 50-year-old empty-nester. She has moved into a plush New England retirement community with her elderly publisher husband, Herb. Mar 15: Broken Embraces. Dir: Pedro Almodóvar, Spain 2009, 127 minutes, Language: Spanish. Starring: Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar, Blanca Portillo, Jose Luis Gomez, Ruben Ochandiano, Tamar Novas. A writer loses both his sight and the love of his life in a brutal accident. Years later he recounts his life before his accident. A story of an obsessive love, the abuse of power, treachery and a guilt complex.

Sir Roger Moore to Film in Cong

A romantic comedy starring none other than Sir Roger Moore is set to begin filming this summer in various locations around Ireland, including Cong, the set of the ‘The Quiet Man’. ‘Connemara Days’ is set against the backdrop of the filming of The Quiet Man and features the O’Dea family of Cong, particularly 18 year old Heather who falls for one of John Ford’s Assistant Directors. ‘Connemara Days’ deals with the circus that is a Hollywood movie rolling into town and changing lives forever. Sir Roger Moore will be Executive Producer on the project and said “The opportunity to revisit the time when Hollywood arrived in Ireland, was simply too delicious an opportunity to miss. I’m greatly looking forward to stepping in front of the cameras in Cong and to being a part of this delightful project“. For more information on ‘Connemara Days’ go to www.causewaypictures.com contact Chris Patterson at chris@causewaypictures.com or call 0044-7802-363-403.

Monday Movies

The Letterfrack Film Society has three more of the best contemporary world movies to run in March. This will be your last chance to see some of the best contemporary world movies on a big screen until the autumn. It’s well worth

March 2010

Connemara ArtsView

Being Green Perplexed by Plastics There I was, thinking about recycling (‘Get a life‘, I hear you say!) and so I went looking for answers. I came across a very good website: www.recyclemore.ie which explains in detail and yet in a very simple manner, which items can be recycled from our home. The website is very specific about plastic do‘s and don’ts. Full of this information, I contacted Barna Waste. They accept all plastics that have a recycling symbol. These include: Plastic bottles like milk, washing up, shampoo, conditioner, washing detergent, liquid yogurt, fruit juice... you need to give them a rinse under the tap, shake the excess water and squash them before putting them in the bin. The clear plastic trays and boxes found in the vegetable or fresh foods department are also to be dealt with in this manner. Bags containing sweets, chocolates or vegetables are not accepted by Barna Waste as they do not have the recycling symbol, nor can bubble wrap or plastic packing material, yet flower pots are accepted. Barna Waste say that if you are in doubt, you should put the plastic item into the landfill bin. I’d rather there was no doubt at all. They also accept: Tins: Food tins, drink tins, aluminium tins, kitchen foil, aluminium trays (pie dish from shop, mince pies cases, trays from ready for oven meals) can be rinsed, squashed and recycled. The lids from glass containers (mayonnaise, jam, ketchup) can join their friends in the blue bin. Tetrapak items like milk and drinks carton: Rinse, shake, squash and pop in! Paper: All types of paper can be recycled. Newspaper, magazines, letters, envelopes, cardboard, old cards, books, boxes.... as long as it is dry (don’t forget to cut out your name and address), you can pop it in the blue bin or the white bag.

recycling symbol). The person on the phone seemed unsure and had to check with colleagues. At the end, she said that flower pots could go into the blue bin. Somehow, I wasn’t fully satisfied with the answers. As for corks (which some of us have lots of!) they have to go to the landfill since they are wood like. If you are clever and careful, you can still avoid this process and recycle as much as you can in your home, therefore reducing your garbage disposal bill. Composting is the obvious one and so is reusing. Any further use you make of an item is recycling. MNB

The Green Reality of Recession

This is a research project carried out by Transition year students from Clifden Community School. Gráinne O’Donnell, Caroline Nee, Chloe O’Neill O’Sullivan, Lisa Kane and Aishling Nee are looking at the eﬀect of the recession on the environment. The word ‘Recession’ is on the tip of all tongues in recent times. The end of 2008 saw an end to what became known as the ‘Celtic Tiger’ and now we are so familiar with terms like ‘down turn’ and ‘credit crunch’ that they are part of our everyday language. The 1990’s and turn of the century saw an economic boom in Ireland which became known as the infamous ‘Celtic Tiger’. There was greater overseas investment which brought more employment. A need for a skilled workforce encouraged more people in further education. Tourism was on the

What I don’t understand is that Barna Waste sell two types of bin bags, a clear one for paper items and a blue one for plastic and tins. Yet, if you have a blue bin, you can mix the whole lot together. So at what stage do they separate the items? More investigation needed…

Bring Banks Some items can be brought to Bring Banks situated in most villages: Glass, rinsed and unbroken (but not Pyrex, crystal or sheet glass) and aluminium tins (from drinks) . You can also bring the following items to the Clifden Recycle Centre: • Glass sheet, like window panes removed from their frame. • Metal items other than food tins. • Clothes or items of clothing, clean, useable and bagged. • Electronic items such as old televisions, mobile phones, toasters, kettles, radiators… and battery operated items. • Toner cartridges. • White Polysterene, washed (great news!) • Batteries of all sizes and shapes. • Fluorescent light bulbs and long life bulbs. • Household hazardous waste such as aerosols, paint thinners, weed pest killers, old medicine, paint, paint rollers and brushes… • Waste engine oil and oil filters. The rest, which is still a lot, needs to go to the green or black bin or green bag destined to the landfill. I rang Barna Waste and asked them about flower pots (which don’t have a

increase in Ireland as were holidays abroad, larger, more expensive houses, and a huge increase in the motor trade industry as everyone had to have a new car. Construction was the driving force which led this boom. House prices were on the increase and the majority of the newly increased salaries were going on huge mortgages. As all of this development and industry was on the increase, one would wonder about the eﬀect of all of this growth on the environment. More development causes habitat destruction, more burning of fossil fuels and hence increasing carbon emissions. However, perhaps due to more life satisfaction and increased standard of living during this boom, a greater awareness of the environment seemed to grow. During these times in Ireland, domestic recycling became the rule not the exception. The Green Schools

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2010

To the Landﬁll

programme brought awareness to the children of the ‘Celtic Tiger’. Renewable energy, water conservation and carbon footprinting became trendy! This project aims at looking at the effects of the recession on the environment both positively and negatively. We assume the reduction in development and industry is good for the environment. However, are the good environmental lessons of the boom time left behind as our society struggles with unemployment, loss of homes and uncertainty? As students who are living through these changeable times in Ireland we aim to look at the environment and give our own unique interpretation on how we can move on and stay green. Here are some of the points we students have made on the effects of the recession on the environment. This is part of a project being entered in the Young Environmentalists Awards 2010. Good for environment 1. Spending less; fewer miles driven, less flights, less shipping, more items reused or recycled not replaced. 2. Less consumption, packaging, waste, landfill. 3. Due to increased taxes on high emission cars, an increase in purchasing fuel efficient cars and hybrid cars will result in reduction in CO2 emissions. 4. Reduced oil burning due to reduction in manufacturing and construction industries. 5. More people growing own vegetables and organic food. 6. Less industrial activity and development, less pollution and effluent therefore cleaner water and beaches. 7. Greater dependency on eco-tourism for employment which raises awareness and respect for the environment. 8. With increased unemployment, are more people available and willing to give time to voluntary organisations and events in their community, for example local litter clean up days? 9. One definite advantage of the recession is that it raises awareness of our frivolous spending habits and wasteful ways. Bad for Environment 1. Reduction in investment into research and development of green programmes. 2. When money is tight, people will choose the less expensive products which are usually not the greener products. 3. Small firms working on green technologies have problems getting funds to continue. 4. When governments need to be seen to be doing something about the cash crisis, the environment is usually last on their priorities. 5. Spending less; less money for things that benefit the environment such as clean technology, green innovation, fair trade and organic foods. 6. On a more local level, there is no money for repairs to roads and leaking water pipes from recent cold weather. Leaking pipes cause water wastage. Damaged roads causes increased car damage. 7. School bus ticket prices have increased this year causing a reduction in bus usage and therefore more cars on the road going against green travel. 8. Illegal dumping may increase due to cost of waste disposal. 9. Less funding for adequate sewage systems and water treatment is obviously not good for the environment. Conclusion It should be noted that a new school building here in Clifden would be very good for the environment. A new insulated building would be much be more energy efficient. As can be seen, there are two sides to this argument. Each individual will have their own opinion and many other points to add. What do you think-are hard times making you a greener person?

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March Bogman 58

Enter crossword answers into a draw of correct answers for a voucher for Homeware Plus in Clifden by March 24th.

Connemara Crossword 64

Connemara Crossword 63

Across 8 Tend to be in the brain. (4) 9 The Ten Commandments, for example, for those about to become fathers? (4, 6) 10 Man overboard! (8) 11 Are stuck in a piece of dirt, or flew into the sky. (6) 12 Shuffling notes at the beginning. (5) 13 Time up, but not down under? (4) 15 Take a minute amount out of radio talk show. (4) 18 This week, praises strangely the chance to win big many years ago. (5, 10) 20 Thought it came from Madrid eatery? (4) 21Just think of me going around America. (4) 22 It’s a crime to be measured by the foot. (5) 25 Driver’s companion animal is on the floor? (6) 27 His great fear is that he will be living under the French. (8) 28 Is contemptuous of the sinful, I add brokenly. (10) 29 Get your own back by the sound of it. (4) Down 1 From which comes one of the lines of an angle. (7, 3) 2 Think that publicity on mud is nice? (6) 3 Herb gives your biblical version to me. (5) 4 Get information about head of Lomond between the Scottish hills. (4) 5 Jailbird writing draft? (9) 6 Being a person of principles, I pass round the cards first. (8) 7 It’s right in what’s charged yet there’s no charge for it. (4) 14 Takes a look at what made wives upset. (5) 16 In exploding flak, get hit and run away. (4, 6) 17 There is nothing on the measuring system to do with static exercise. (9) 19 Upset sedate MP in a mad rush. (8) 23 With drink inside, he’d be made better. (6) 24 The air in the church makes lamps flicker. (5) 26 Keen to see Kiri Te Kanawa, for example, get her comeuppance. (4) 27 Handle Horatio’s head back at sea. (4) Across 1. Freezing cold personified (4, 5) 9. Not the best built cars in the world (6) 10. Accuracy (9) 11. We live on one (6) 12. Self serving restaurant (9) 13. Light fishing pole (3, 3) 17. Popular cooker (3) 19. Could be 14 down (7) 20. Nuns house (7) 21. Bed (3) 23. Resist this relative (6) 27. This person has interest in 31 across (9) 28. Oxygenate (6) 29. On the market (2, 3, 4) 30. Edible seed (6) 31. Absolutely ridiculous form of divination concerning celestial bodies (9) 1

Winner of February Bogman 57: Mary Walsh, Moyard. Winner Connemara Crossword 62: Bridie Stephens, Roundstone.

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C H O O 10 F L O L 12 C O V W 14 15 S I 19 C A S A O 23 P U S E C 28 G R E O L 30 A G E T S

C O L A T E 9 U I R P T A T I O N 11 L T P M E R E D I N 13 T R C B 16 17 18 H A S S 20 H I E R E X 21 22 B M O W 24 H E D A B 27 R S T A L E N E M O 29 A R E P U N T S A S 31 E B L U E

P A R A G R A P H

S U P R N A I A N I E N G 25 I E M A P T A B I P R I

Down 2. Out of the country (6) 3. Hit with the foot (6) 4. Bacon slice (6) 5. Very bad habit (7) 6. Seaside (9) 7. Atoll, underwater ridge (5, 4) 8. Nominee (9) 14. Famous artist. Could be 19 across (9) 15. Children (9) 16. Quirky, oddball (9) 17. Curve (3) 18. Cat to perform (3) 22. Sea creature (7) 24. Defensive covering (6) 25. Gentle maiden (6) 26. Modern travel phenomenon (3, 3)

F E R E G E W C H E S E L 26 S T E O L E E N T

March 2010

What Do You Know? Quiz 17 No winner of Quiz 16, prize money is now €40. March Quiz Geography: Where is the Teleport Town located? History: What country’s Supreme Court was the first to rule in favor of same sex marriages? Sport: Why was Ronan O’Gara originally ruled out of Six Nation Matches in 2003? Maths: How many yards are there in a pole? Science: Plato and Aristotle developed what form of reasoning? Food: Where did plant cultivation first begin? General Knowledge: What is the currency of Oman? Politics: What is the only country in the world today that does not have universal suffrage? Music: When was music sent through a phone line for the first time? Art: Which artist coined the idea of everyone having 15 minutes of fame? Entertainment: Tap dancing originates in which country? Irish Interest: What does the Irish prefix ‘Dún’ mean?

February Quiz Answers Geography: How many emirates compose the United Arab Emirates? Answer:Seven.http://geography.about. com/library/quiz/110809/blquiz110809. htm?lastQuestion=1&answers=2&submi t=Next+Question+%3E%3E&ccount=1 History: Jamaica achieved Independence on August 6, 1962. What “official” motto did the country adopt? Answer:Out of Many, One People. http://www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=252796 Sport: When was the International Rugby Board formed? Answer:1886.http:// www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/sports/ rugby_union.html Math: 7 microseconds equals how many nanoseconds? Answer:7000.http:// www.syvum.com/cgi/online/fillin.cgi/ squizzes/math/metric.tdf?0 Food: What fruit was once known as the Chinese Plum? Answer:The Kiwi. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/ind ex?qid=20080724110308AAOUI0e General Knowledge: What small insect doesn’t sleep? Answer:The Ant. http:// www.knowledgebase-script.com/ demo/article-485.html Politics: Which 20th century head of state survived the most assassination attempts? Answer:Charles de Gaulle. http://www.freetrivia-and-pubquizquestions.com/trivia/FreePoliticsQuizQuestions.asp Music: What was the first pop video? Answer:Queen- Bohemian Rhapsodyhttp://didyouknow.org/fastfacts/ music.htm Art: What was Pablo Picasso’s first word? Answer:Pencil or “Piz” (Latin for pencil) http://www.neatorama. com/2008/10/25/10-fun-facts-aboutpablo-picasso/ Entertainment: What is Barbie’s full name? Answer:Barbara Millicent Roberts.http://www.opendb.net/ element/2129.php Literature: On which of Shakespeare’s plays was the musical `Kiss Me Kate` based? Answer:The Taming of the Shrew http://www.quiz-zone.co.uk/ questionsbycategory/Art%20and%20 Literature/200/answers.html Irish Interest: Cedric Gibbons of Dublin is the designer of what famous statuette?Answer: The Oscar Statuette. http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/ ireland-facts.html

Connemara View Newspaper

We are now heading into a busy time for the garden, and this year there will be more than usual to be done. The bad weather which we experienced over the winter months will have delayed most people. I know that the plans I had for the winter fell way behind and I am going to have to rethink one or two of these. That being said, it is always surprising how quickly the garden and gardeners can recover.

Tidy Up There is plenty of debris around, between leaves, branches, and dead plants; all these need to be removed. There are a few reasons for this, first of all, these piles of debris are breeding grounds for bugs and diseases, neither of which you want to encourage in the garden. Secondly, they are untidy, and make the garden seem unfinished. Even if you have daffodils and other spring bulbs, the mess will detract from the spring scene. If it is mostly leaves, gather them and put them in your compost, or bag them and let them rot. Heavier items, twigs, and branches, will not rot, so it is better to remove them but bigger pieces which might be dry can be burnt. If you find that there is a lot of rotting vegetation it might be safer to get rid of this as you could be inviting trouble into the garden. Now is the ideal time to top dress all the herbaceous and shrub beds in the garden. It is important to remove as many weeds as possible before you top dress. I try and give each bed a good digging where possible. If there are plants already up or just about to appear, try not to dig too close to these. A small trowel or fork is ideal for close work. When the weeds and stones have been removed, I then spread a good layer of mulch. I make a mixture of garden compost, builder’s sand and either a bag of soil improver, or else leaf mould. This dressing should be worked in around shrubs and plants. It will help improve the soil, retain moisture, and keep weeds at bay or at least make them easier to dig. It also has the advantage of making the bed look good.

Seeds Most seeds need to be planted around this month. There is a huge range of seeds available locally. These are generally in the flower and vegetable varieties, but it is possible to buy seeds for almost every type of plant. There are many seed catalogues out there, but usually, the more exotic the seeds, the more expensive they are, and difficult to grow. Each seed has different needs, and you should read the labels on the packets, and follow these instructions. That being said, there are a few basic rules. Always ensure your seed trays or containers are thoroughly cleaned; it is no harm to wash them with bleach and water. If you use them dirty, you could end up with the seeds being destroyed by a fungus or some disease. Also there is a possibility that there could be seeds of other plants in cracks or crevices of your contain-

Planning Applications Continued from page 19 10183 McDonnell, Conor & Mary, Bunowenbeg, 18/02/10. For a ground ﬂoor single storey extension to front and rear of an existing 4 bedroom dwelling along with facade modiﬁactions, internal alterations and all associated site works. 10188 McDonagh, Paddy, Roundstone, 18/02/10. For a two storey extension to existing dwelling and all ancillary works at No 8 Michael Killeen Park. 10202 O Malley, Lorna, Mannin More, 19/02/10. For a dwelling house, and private wastewater treatment system. 10203 Ward, Margaret, Gortrummagh, 19/02/10. For retention of dwelling house, garage and septic tank on revised site boundaries. 1024 O’Connor, Eileen Anne, Derryherbert, 13/01/10. For permission to construct a single storey dwellinghouse, attached shed, entrance walls, drive, wastewater treatment unit and percolation area and all ancillary site works. 1040 Merry, Brian, Bunowen Beg, 20/01/10. To retain alterations from previously permitted extension under pl. ref. 06/4694 and for permission to construct an extension to dwelling house. 1051 Gahon, John, Errisbeg West, 21/01/10. For a dwelling

Connemara View Newspaper

ers. Use good quality seed and potting compost, this can be bought at garden centres, and some shops. Be sure it is suitable for seeds, as often people buy soil enricher or even moss peat. These dry out too quickly, and contain very little nutrients. Level the compost so that you have an even surface to plant the seeds. Make sure that you mark the containers clearly, especially if you are planting a large variety, and number of seeds. Believe me you will not remember which are which.

Trees This is also a great time to plant trees. I know I have mentioned this many times, but it is no harm reminding you again. If you have been planting trees over the past few years, you might have built up some shelter, and maybe an interesting collection. I find it a good idea to write a wish list of trees you would like to plant, even if it seems unlikely that they would grow here, or that you are going to be able to get them. My wish list is pages long-some I have been trying to source for years, while others are either far too expensive, or probably not suited to the garden. I have always said that we can grow almost any tree here in Connemara, and I think we could, if we could get shelter. If you look at the magnificent trees growing around Kylemore Abbey, and in many of the older gardens, you will see that this is the case. Shelter and care are the most important ingredients. I like to leave almost all trees anywhere from a few months to a year in the pot so that they can grow accustomed to the garden. Sometimes I will plant them into larger pots and leave them for many years. Once I have picked the spot for them, I dig a big hole, loosening up the soil, removing stones and large weeds. I put a small amount of garden compost in the hole, mix it with the clay and then work out the size of planting hole needed. Care should be taken when taking the trees out of the pot. Sometimes roots have grown through the drainage holes in the bottom. If the tree looks very pot bound, with its roots all compacted, tease them out gently. Plant the tree, making sure that it is not planted too deep. Firm well and water regularly. As I have mentioned in the past, you are better off planting fairly small trees which are less likely to suffer wind damage than the bigger ones, and also don’t overfeed them. That tends to make them put on too much growth which can be damaged in times of bad weather. As part of a re-organisation of the garden I have been moving shrubs and plants and enjoying the experience. It is good to move plants around; the herbaceous plants benefit from being divided and it also allows you to renew the soil in particular beds. I have created two new shrub beds. Everything which I have planted in them has been either moved from some part of the garden, or taken out of large pots. Hopefully they will reward me with new growth. You should begin to water your indoor plants on a more

regular basis, as new growth starts around now. As with any plants, it is worth checking that they have suﬀered no damage over the winter, clear away fallen leaves, and cut back broken branches, some may need to be re-potted. It is important that the new pot is not too big; they recommend that you should only use a size bigger than what it is already growing in. If the soil is very old, it is a good idea to shake most of it oﬀ the roots, and re-pot using fresh soil. A good liquid feed can boost the plant as well. Happy gardening.

New Ridges in Carraroe I was down in Carraroe recently and came across a sight which brought me back to the 60’s: a small stone walled garden with the start of a new generation of vegetable ridges. I had to take a photograph, and was lucky enough to talk to the man who was creating the new garden. He told me that this particular ﬁeld had lain idle for 30 years, and he decided to bring it back into cultivation because his son had an interest in growing vegetables. Having cleared the section he was going to use, he created the most perfect ridges. He would be putting seaweed on top and then he intended to plant potatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots and lettuce. What impressed me most was the obvious pride he was taking in the work, but most importantly was the handing down of the tradition to the next generation. I will return to view the progress, and to have further conversation about the vegetables. Breandan O Scanaill

house and garage/shed, to upgrade existing private waste water treatment system, to provide a new access road and to demolish existing dwelling house. 1060, Kane, Elizabeth, Baunogues, 21/01/10. For retention of domestic garage to the northwest of existing dwelling house and associated site development works. 1085 Cunnane, Kevin, Westquarter, 28/01/10. For alterations to and the construction of an extension to the rear of an existing dwelling together with installation of new effluent treatment, percolation area and associated works. 1086 Connemara West Education Ltd, Letterfrack, 28/01/10. For extensions and alterations to the existing Farmers Co-Op building including a change of use from agricultural storage/retail to an incubation unit/manufacturing facility with assocaited works. 1087 Laffey, Denis, Culfin, 28/01/10. For the construction of an office/garage/workshop to the rear of an existing dwelling. 1094 Grimes, Matt and Ann, Gowlan West, 28/01/10 For retention of modifications to already approved extension (08/3665) to the existing dwelling house, retention of alterations to location of approved new garage on the site aad all ancillary site works and services.

March 2010

Page 23

Mink in Connemara Mink are deadly vicious predators that decimate nests of ground nesting birds year after year and pose a serious threat to many of our native wildlife. Mink are valuable for their pelts and were brought into Ireland in the 1960’s for fur farming. Some escaped but many were released by animal rights groups in the mid 1960’s. They are now found in every county in Ireland. Last year in Connemara there were several reports of lambs being attacked by mink. One farmer reported a pack of mink attacking lambs. Mink are generally solitary creatures who hold territories. However, in July/August, before young mink disperse to ﬁnd territories, there is some evidence that the mother will train kits how to hunt, and this may explain several mink working together. A serious pest, mink seem to kill for the sport of it, not like other predatory animals that kill to eat. A typical mink kill involves random slaughtering, with death occurring by a bite to the base of the skull. Characteristic of mink is that

Mini Menace in Connemara Many of us have been bitten by a sesameseed-sized ‘sceartán’, or tick, and thought nothing of it-but things are changing… Some of them are harmless, but the bloodsucking parasite can also carry a cocktail of diseases that causes untold misery to many people and animals. The most prevalent of these in Ireland and the UK is Borreliosis, which is better known as Lyme disease. Tick bites are usually painless as their saliva contains numbing properties so they can feed undiscovered for several days at a time. The combination of their numbing saliva, tiny size and choice of feeding location (often the underarm, groin or scalp) can make them difficult to detect. Many people get bitten without even realising it. If untreated, the disease can progress to joint pains, an irregular heart beat or heart block, meningitis, visual problems, and even paralysis of the face or limbs. These complications often resolve with antibiotic treatment but, for some people, the tissue damage can remain permanent. Borreliosis (Lyme disease) can affect every system of the body and symptoms can resemble those of many other conditions. The only symptom specific to this disease is an expanding red rash (often resembling a bull’seye) but less than fifty percent of laboratoryconfirmed cases present with the rash. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre

Page 24

prey animals are often found dead lined up in a row. Another farmer, Paddy Walsh in Letterfrack, reported up to 30 lambs killed on his farm. Although it is hard to envisage a small animal of 2-3 lbs in size killing a large lamb, at the end of summer, the evidence would suggest mink. The pattern was typical; a multiple kill beside a river, puncture wounds noted in the neck area with two mink subsequently caught on his farm. Although there are no reports of mink attacking sheep in the UK; worldwide, there are reports of large animals being attacked. However, other than mink, these kills are hard to explain as the method of killing was unlike a fox or dog. This predator has had a serious impact on nesting birds in the west. It is now common to spend a day on either Lough Mask or Corrib during the summer months without seeing a single mallard with ducklings. The female wildfowl particularly are targeted as they quite literally “sitting ducks” on nests. Mayo’s Lough Carra’s breeding population of mallard has fallen from an estimated 150 pairs in the 1970’s to just a few pairs today. The same pattern is happening on all the western lakes. Rare breeding wader populations are also being affected by mink. A research project “on the Shannon callows used DNA analysis and tagging of chicks to prove mink predation” according to Dr Anita Donaghy, Senior Conservation Officer for BirdWatch Ireland. In mid February the National Parks and Wildlife Service advertised a tender to control mink, as well as grey crows and foxes, in Mayo and Connemara, Shannon Callows and Donegal. According to Pat Warner, the objective of the cull is to “not to eradicate them entirely but to seasonally control the local populations with a view to protecting rare and vulnerable populations of breeding birds including Corncrake”. Many people are concerned about the ongoing threat of mink to wild birds and livestock and many fishermen and farmers are setting traps beside small watercourses and lake edges, and some are even trapping the offshore islands for the benefit of biodiversity and wildlife. This is best time for mink trapping as during February and March mink are active looking for potential mates and are more likely to investigate new dens on their ‘run’. The first thing to do is to identify ‘runs’ beside watercourses that they would be likely to use. Traps should be dark and den like, wrapped in black plastic and disguised with vegetation and stones. Tinned fish is popular bait and easily available,

(HPSC), Ireland, considers that the incidence may be much higher than the known number of laboratory-conﬁrmed cases. They state that, “When there is not the legal onus on practitioners to report cases of an infectious disease, the knowledge we have about such disease is, accordingly, incomplete”.

There are no vaccines against tick-borne diseases in Ireland and the UK, with the exception of the Louping ill virus (more commonly associated with sheep). Awareness is the best defence. Ticks live in well vegetated areas, such as ﬁelds, woodland, mountains, bogs, parks and gardens. They feed on a diverse range of animals. People get bitten when they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or when a tick crawls or drop onto a host that comes near the plant

though some people reckon that at this time of year there is no need for bait, but positioning of traps is very important. August to September is also a good time for trapping as the young are dispersing. Lots of studies have noted that it is very hard to trap mink during the summer as the females are denning with kits, and not so active. No matter what our feelings are about these animals it is important to make sure that traps are checked daily so that trapped animals do not die of starvation or exposure to the elements. Trapping and disposal should be carried out in a way so as to cause the least suffering for the animal. Even the ISPCA accepts the necessity for “humane control of non-native species, where such species …cause damage to indigenous species”. This is a rare opportunity for people on all sides of the fence to work together for the benefit of the farmed and wild animals of Connemara. Marie Louise Heffernan

they are resting on. The longer a tick remains attached, the higher the risk of infection. Removing a tick incorrectly (such as burning, freezing, or smothering it in substances like spirits oil or butter) can cause the regurgitation or spilling of infective ﬂuids, which also increases the risk. Ideally wearing gloves, ticks should be removed with a proper tick remover (such as the ‘O ‘Tom Tick Twister’ available online or from your chemist). The bite area should be disinfected and the tick burnt, ﬂushed or disposed of in a sealed bag in the bin. Ticks should not be handled with bare hands, even when dead. Pets should be protected with a ‘spot on’ or spray treatment, recommended by your vet, so they are not bringing unwanted ticks into your home. Follow the same precautions when removing them from your pets. If you are going hill walking or to other ‘ticky’ areas, be sensible: wear insect repellent, tuck your trousers into your sock or wear gaiters, and check yourself and companions when you return home. Wendy Fox is chairperson of the charity Borreliosis & Associated Diseases Awareness UK (BADA-UK) and is a victim of Borreliosis, which left her paralysed from the waist down and partially sighted. She urges people not to panic about ticks but to be ‘tick aware’ as numbers of these parasites have risen con-

March 2010

siderable and cases of disease have escalated sharply over the last few years. “Ticks are just part of nature” says Wendy. “Enjoy the great outdoors but take precautions against being bitten. Doing so is just like putting on a seatbelt when you get in the car - simple but eﬀective”. The BADA-UK website and literature gives detailed instructions on how to correctly remove a tick, and tips on preventing tick bites. They also supply tick-removal tool and oﬀer advice on gardening to deter ticks at www.bada-uk.org. Tick Prevention Week is from 12th -18th April in Ireland and the UK and has been organised by the registered charity, BADAUK, (Borreliosis & Associated Diseases Awareness UK). Ness Kelly

Connemara View Newspaper

Farming Matters After the closure of REPS to new entrants last year, the Connemara farming community has been and continues to be subjected to increased and sustained pressure to survive in current economic conditions. I recently met with Mary Lacey, Secretary of the Connemara branch of the IFA, to discuss some of the issues and items of interest that are facing farmers today. To begin with Mary, can you tell us about the big issues currently facing farmers in Connemara? Well, the electronic tagging of sheep is a big issue at the moment as it is due to be carried out on lambs born this year. The cost of the tags is the main problem. They are said to be between €1.50 and €2.50 per tag, whereas at present I can get 100 tags for €34. That is a huge jump in price for us to take on. We don’t agree with this entire issue here in Connemara. Not only are these tags much more expensive, but they are also said to be more prone to infection. It will also take double the time and eﬀort as both ears of a sheep will now have to be tagged. They are a totally new tag with a chip embedded that is read by a digital scanner. The IFA, both here and nationally, are opposed to this new tagging system, but it comes from the EU, so once again we feel that we are having no choice or say in this matter. So what would happen if farmers refuse to comply with this new tagging? Well, it’s hard to say as it hasn’t come to that yet, but it’s possible that we could have our payments stopped or even be ﬁned eventually. So they have us either way it seems. Despite the huge opposition to this, it seems that anything that comes from the EU will be driven through. Because they can stop our payments, they have us over a barrel in a way. Speaking of payments, after the closure of REPS last year, what is the feeling towards the new Agri Environment Scheme? Well, there’s no doubt that the loss of REPS was a massive

Why do bees sting?

blow for Connemara. It ties in with the destocking issue. When we were sold the destocking plan, we were led to believe that REPS would in a way compensate for the hit we were taking. Now we are stuck with the destocking and all the inspections and hardship that that brings for a lot of hill farmers. While the Agri Environment Scheme is welcome, it is only worth about half of what REPS was to the farmer. Once you’ve paid a planner out of that amount it doesn’t leave a lot behind. So it’s clear that like all businesses, farmers are struggling to keep making an income. What have prices been like lately? Well, as far as sheep are concerned, prices at Maam Cross were good towards the end of last year and I’m hearing good reports from the mart there recently, too. It’s hard to predict

when falls in price are coming but thankfully it has been decent recently, so we are glad for that. I must say that the mart at Maam Cross is a great outlet for farmers in Connemara and Eoin Burke is doing a fantastic job. As well as going to sell your animals it’s a great social outlet, and without it, the hill farmers would be lost, as we generally can’t get animals to factory weight oﬀ the hill. Mary, you personally had a terrible time with mink last year on the farm. What are your thoughts on the upcoming spring season in this regard? Yes I had an awful time with mink last year, losing almost 30 lambs and my neighbour lost all of his. Mink has been here in our area for about 3 years now, and began by killing

were just harmless fuzzy insects, with no way of defending themselves. “We can’t go on like this”, said the queen bee in despair. “Every time we nearly have a hive full, someone breaks in and steals it all”. The worker bees murmured their agreement. “Enough is enough”, said the queen. “We’re going to see the great god Zeus”. They flew off in the buzziest swarm anyone had ever seen. The bees flew up through fluffy white clouds to the temple of Zeus. “What’s all this then?” said Zeus when he saw the swarm of bees. The queen buzzed up to the God and hovered in the air in front of his nose. “Good afternoon Zeus” said the queen, “I have come to you about a very important matter”. “Well in that case” he said, “please come inside and explain”. So she came in and explained what the problem was. “I think I can give you a way of defending yourselves”, said Zeus, “but it would be a shame if no-one were to eat honey ever again. If I give you a weapon that will make people respect you more, will you promise to use it sparingly and to allow them to take a little honey now and then?”. “Of course” said the queen bee, and her subjects nodded enthu-

siastically. “Very well” said Zeus. “Go back to your hive and I’ll let you know when the weapon is ready”. Zeus went to his workshop and began constructing their weapons. When he had finally finished the next day, a message was sent to the queen. When they arrived Zeus fitted all the bees with a stinger. “This is a weapon”, said Zeus as he explained how it causes a painful sting. “It will work as many times you want it to. But promise you will only use it when absolutely necessary”. “We promise!”chorused all the little bees. They flew away wiggling their tails with pleasure, as pleased as punch with their new weapons. All afternoon the bees hummed as they worked, gathering nectar and making honey, when suddenly a fat groping hand pushed its way into the hive. “Sting the hand!” ordered the queen bee. Three bees stung the hand immediately. “Ouch!!” came a yell from outside and the owner quickly wrenched it out of the hive. “It worked!” said the queen bee and excitement spread through the hive. The next day another hand broke into the hive and reached in for some honey. Immediately the queen shouted “What are you waiting for? Sting the hand, sting the hand!” Ten bees dived for the hand and stung it for all they were worth. Its owner hauled his hand out as quickly as he could and fled. After that there was no stopping the bees, giddy with their new power. They stung people for taking their honey, they stung people for touching their hive, and before long, they started stinging people for just looking at their hive. Zeus knew nothing of this until he asked one of his servants to get him some honey. The servant’s face went pale at the mention of honey, but did not dare disobey his master so he left for honey and came back with sting marks on his face, his arms and legs, and all over his face. He flung himself in front of Zeus and burst into tears. “What happened to you?” asked Zeus. “I tried to get some honey for your bread” wailed the servant. “I honestly did, but I did not even get near the hive because the bees swarmed around me and stung me to bits”. “What?!” roared Zeus. He stormed straight to the queen’s hive. As he approached, bees buzzed out to greet him, but when they saw the thunderous expression on his face, they hurried back in. “Come back here!” bellowed Zeus. The bees peered out fearfully. Then the queen bee flew outside look-

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2010

This a ‘pourquoi tale’, (a tale where you ask a ‘why’ question and then use your imagination to create the answer) written by Thomas Mannion, 6th Class, Scoil Mhuire, Clifden. “Buzz oﬀ!” shouted the queen bee as a big hairy hand broke into her hive. The hand simply brushed the queen and her worker bees aside and scooped out all their precious golden honey. The bees buzzed in protest but there was nothing they could do to stop it. You see in those days, bees

the newborns but even older lambs were killed last year. I had trouble getting people to believe me at times that it was mink causing the damage, as they were sceptical about the size and age of the animals killed, but I know the way a fox kills and a mink kills, and the fox is a clean killer compared to the mink. I’ve never seen anything as brutal as the way the mink kills these animals. The NPWS have recently advertised a position for someone to trap and cull these and other predators like the grey crow and fox in the Connemara area, so I hope that will be followed up on. I was happy to see that the issue is being taken seriously and recognised as a big problem after the carnage myself and others suﬀered last year. Some local shops are selling cage traps now and more people seem to be becoming aware of the problem. Even if more people are aware of what they look like they might tell their neighbours or people they know who have poultry or lambs etc, to try and be prepared and maybe set a trap before an attack. So to conclude, would it be fair to say that farming in Connemara faces more challenges in the future? Well it would seem so, as that is the reality of farming these days, but it is our way of life and we will continue to carry on as best we can. However, we do need more support from our politicians so we can make a fair living in agriculture. Mary Lacey was in conversation with Catherine Pryce. ing more than a little sheepish. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves” raged Zeus, “for being so mean with your honey and so generous with your stings. From now on, all of you will have the ability to only sting once, and then not only will you lose your ability to sting-you will also lose your life”. From then on the bees were a lot more generous with their honey, and a lot less generous with their stings.

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Beauty

Counselling

Do you want a great hairstyle, color or highlights ? Don’t toss a coin and gamble on ‘heads or tails’. For advanced, classic or contemporary hairdressing Hedz it is. Leave your heads in the hands of the experts. Hedz it is. Station House Courtyard, Clifden. 095-22202. Tue-Sat 9-6. Late night Friday. The Treatment Rooms at Abbeyglen Castle oﬀering hot stone massage, luxury Yonka facials, indian head massage, reﬂexology, Zen spa pedicure/manicure, waxing, California tanning. Non residents welcome. Open 9-6 Monday to Saturday. Sunday 12 – 5. 095-21306.

Counselling and psychotherapy. Úna McKeever M.Sc., M.I.A.H.I.P., M.I.A.C.P. is a fully accredited Psychotherapist/Counsellor who oﬀers private and conﬁdential counselling. For an appointment call 087-250-5015. email: unamckeever21@gmail.com.

Fitness

Cancer Care Clifden Outreach Service by Cancer Care West at the Clifden Health Centre opposite Clifden Hospital on the 4th Thursday of every month. Drop- in, information and support service. 091-545-000. www.cancercarewest.ie.

Complementary Health

Corrib Gym Oughterard. Open day on Saturday 6th March. 10.00am to 3.00 pm. Up to 20% off memberships on the day. Facilities include aerobic equipment, fixed and free -weights, steam room, sauna and relaxing area. Flexible membership and day rates available. Over 55’s active social morning Pilates, Weightwise, Teen Gym, and toning classes run throughout year. Contact 091-557-775. Spring in Your Step One Day Workshop. Kylemore Pass Hotel. Sunday March 28th. Lunch included. 10am to 5pm. €75. Special Offer: €65 if booked and fully paid before March 17th. Send payment to Deora Dé, Recess, Co. Galway. 095-34664. info@deorade.com www.deorade.com Killannin Community Centre. Loads of regular activities for adults and children, along with dance fitness classes, full body workout classes and yoga classes. Fully fitted gym, personal service with weight monitoring, personal fitness programming etc. Call Peter and his team at 091-550-220. Clifden Station House Leisure Centre. 095-30433. leisure@ clifdenstationhouse.com. Fitness classes. Swimming lessons. Aqua aerobics. Circuit training. Pilates. Personal training.

Health Insurance Reiki / Seichem. Experience the calm & healing energies of this beautiful treatment, which is drug free & non-invasive. These powerful energies can heal one on the mental, emotional, spiritual & physical levels. Qualified Reiki / Seichem Master & Practitioner, Call Yvonne for appointment. 086-365-3266. Acupuncture Clinic, Maara Mulgrew Lic.Ac. - Acupuncture is a powerfully effective and naturally relaxing form of medicine used to treat a wide range of health concerns. Ciúin Health & Beauty, Bridge Street, Clifden. For appointment contact 087-970-1648. For more info see www.acupunctureclinic.ie. Physical Therapy Clinic. Lettermore & Galway. Sports Injury Rehabilitation Ultrasound Massage. Reiki. Aromatherapy. Reflexology. Ayurvedic. Aviva. Quinn. Hibernian. GAA. 087-056-3411. Pregnancy & Baby Massage. Aromatherapy. Reflexology. Mother to be Programs. IAIM CIMI Baby Massage Instructor. Aviva. Quinn. Hibernian. GAA. 087-056-3411. Do you suffer from anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, digestive disorders, depression, headaches, lack of energy, ME, MS, muscle tension, stress? I f so, contact Lucy Lydon (BEHA Dip) on 087-757-9237. True Awakening Plexus BioEnergy Therapy. Clifden Holistic Centre. Kinesiology, food testing, acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, massage and hypnotherapy at An Bhean Fheasa Health Shop, Lr Market St, Clifden.095-30671. Open Mon-Sat 9:30-6 p.m. Peace Meditation followed by Pranic Healing from 10-12 with Martha Conneely every Wed morning.

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March 2010

Why pay more than you have to for your health insurance? No penalties if you switch. All served waiting periods are recognised by Hibernian Aviva Health. Call Hennelly Finance on 091-586-500 or call Helena on 086-809-5607. Hennelly Financial Services Ltd. T/A Hennelly Finance is regulated by the Financial Regulator.

Health Shop

Opticians

Connemara View Newspaper

Saint MacDara’s National School, Carraroe This old school building in the centre of Carraroe is described as “a double fronted, 11 bay single storey national school with gabled 3 bay centrepiece ﬂanked by gabled 2 bay projecting wings, dated 1893. The exterior is rendered and has a date stone and large central Venetian style window. Set back from road behind low boundary wall. Disused”. Some or most of this description is correct, but not all, as the building is not disused but a very lively and thriving part of the community, now housing Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, which is part of the National University of Ireland, Galway. It has a large student population with courses being run in education, language planning, spoken Irish, performing arts, translation and communications. It is also used by the community as a centre for night classes. It is named in honour of Máirtín Ó Cadhain, the author of many literary works, his best known being Cré na Cille. To go back to the beginning of Saint MacDara’s we have to travel to the end of the 19th century and a time of great social change and hardship. At the time that the school was being built, around 1892, the Parish Priest Father Conway was hoping that a small room could be added to the building to act as a machine knitting factory. Contact had been made with a Manchester company who would supply machines and materials, and even pay carriage. To that end, a number of girls had been sent to Manchester to learn the skills which would be needed for such an industry. It was expected that on their return they would pass these skills on to others. Father Conway realised, as did many others, that work was needed in the area to give people a sense of dignity. As well as work, education was seen as a key to getting people out of their poverty. Education in Ireland had a fairly turbulent history, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries. To all intents and purposes, Catholics were barred from education by the Penal Laws, but those laws didn’t stop people getting some form of education. The famous hedge schools sprang up all over the country, and teachers would move from place to place, instructing pupils where ever they could ﬁnd space. There

was no exam and no way of measuring the success of these teachers, but it was reported that a standard of learning was achieved. Of course there was a cost for this teaching, so in general only the better off were able to attend these schools. In 1831 the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Lord Stanley established a national school system. These schools were to be run under the patronage of an important local figure. They were to be non denominational, with religious instruction by clergy of each denomination provided separately. That particular part of the act is worth quoting. “The object of the system of national education is to afford combined literary and moral and separate religious instruction to children of all persuasions as far as possible in the same school upon the fundamental principal that no attempt shall be made to interfere with the peculiar religious tenets of any description of Christian pupils. It is an earnest wish of Her Majesty’s Government and of the commission that the clergy and laity of the different religious denominations should co-operate in conducting national schools.” The commission referred to were the Commissioners of Nation Education and were nominated by the crown. The commissioners were incorporated by this name in 1845. As the national school system developed, the Catholics were the most enthusiastic supporters, with Protestant and Dissenters being less so. This was to change and we ended up with the system we have today, with the majority of national schools in Ireland being under the control of the two main churches.

Saint MacDara’s school opened in March 1893 and continued as a school until the mid 1950’s, when a new and enlarged school was built. This was opened in September 1956. As well as the provision of industries for the area, Fr. Conway was interested in the development of agriculture. Within the curriculum there was provision for the teaching of agriculture. All boys from fourth class onwards were given basic training by way of a text book, and in some cases, a model farm was incorporated in the school. Many reports talk about the unsuitability of the textbook, as much of the material covered would have made no sense to the boys in Carraroe. It was hoped that there could be a book more in keeping with the area, but it appears that this never came about. The girls learned various crafts and domestic skills, including mending nets. Some of the educationalists thought that this skill should also be taught to boys, but in most instances this was not so. When you see the old school being used today, especially as a place of learning, you have to take your hat oﬀ to people like Fr Conway, and many others, in all the diﬀerent churches, and in the wider community, who saw and did something about the educational needs of the people of their areas. Schools like Saint MacDara’s are testimony to the vision of our forefathers. Breandan O Scanaill

An Heroic Rescue Remembered We step into the not too distant past to bring you a story that never got the publicity in our area that it rightfully deserved at the time. The principle character in this story is Clifden born Frank Conroy, formerly of Bridge St and now living in Luton, England. To all who knew him in his youth he was the obliging gentle giant, and because of his bravery, three members of his extended family who lived next door to him are alive today. Armed with nothing more than a rag in his mouth, Frank fought his way through thick smoke and flames to pluck his family, who were overcome by smoke, from the blazing inferno that was their home. Despite carrying an injury he received on a building site some months earlier, Frank went into the blazing house with no concern for his own safety. He emerged minutes later with the dazed occupants, some of whom he had thrown down the stairs. To the anxious bystanders those minutes seemed like an eternity and they held little hope of anyone coming out of the building alive. Fire fighters who arrived on the scene as the roof collapsed heaped praise on the daring act of grandfather Frank. Such unselfishness and disregard for danger pitted with concern for others wellbeing is a quality few of us mortals are equipped with. Thankfully his prompt and thoughtful actions did not go un-noticed as can be

seen from the glowing accolades he later received. In 1992 Frank received a certificate ‘in testimony of distinguished conduct while engaged in the rescue of life from fire’ from The Society for the Protection of Life From Fire. He also received a British Red Cross Care in Crisis award in 1992, which was signed by Her Royal Highness, Diana, Princess of Wales and is the only Irishman to have received such a certificate signed by the princess. Photo: Frank Conroy is pictured here with his great granddaughter Kerry in a newspaper report of the dramatic fire rescue he undertook, saving the lives of three family members. Thomas Feneran

Connemara View Newspaper

I am getting a reduced One-Parent Family Payment because I work part-time in the mornings. My employer has just cut my hours. I was earning €250 a week and I’m now down to €130 a week. Does this have any effect on my payment? If people on a One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) experience a drop in income, they may be entitled to an increase in their OFP (this differs from Family Income Supplement (FIS) which is only reviewed yearly). Since you are now earning less than €146.50 a week you are entitled to the full OFP. To get the increase you should send a current payslip with a letter from your employer confirming the change in your work situation to your local Social Welfare Office. The amount of One-Parent Family Payment you get depends on your weekly means. Income from employment is calculated as follows: • The first €146.50 of your gross weekly earnings is not taken into account. This means that you can earn up to €146.50 per week and qualify for the full OneParent Family Payment. • Half the remainder of your gross earnings up to €425 per week is assessed as means. If you earn between €146.50 and €425 per week you may qualify for a reduced payment.

March 2010

Social insurance contributions, health contributions, superannuation contributions and trade union subscriptions are not taken into account in the assessment of earnings. However, your gross earnings must be below €425 before any deductions are allowed. Further information is available from Clifden Citizens Information Service which provides a free and conﬁdential service to the public. Tel: 095-22000 or 087-130-1100 / Email: clifden@citinfo.ie Address: c/o VEC, Statoil Apts, Galway Road, Clifden. OPEN: Thursday 7pm – 8pm, Friday 1030am – 330pm. Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 1890-777-121. Declan Weir

Send in your news, views & photos to news@connemaraview.com or phone 095-22888 Page 27

march Horoscopes Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) Happy Birthday! Take time to enjoy the good things that will be coming your way this month. The start of spring is your time. Taurus (Apr 21-May 20) Relax a little this month. You have been taking things too seriously of late. Do not be so tense. Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Keep your guard up; for reasons that you are unaware of someone will try to do something against you this month. Cancer ( Jun 22-Jul 22) If at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again. You need to make this your motto for the month as things will seem to not go your way, but in the end it will all work out. Leo ( Jul 23-Aug 23) Don’t be reckless this month. You feel like you can do anything but it just isn’t so. Think about your options before you act. Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 22) Be a night owl this month. The things that you accomplish in the dark will benefit you later in the day. Libra (Sep 23-Oct 23) It’s time for you to find the missing piece of you-that one thing that you know will make you the happiest. So get out there and make it happen. Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22) Use the positive things that come into your life this month in a positive way. Do not look for the bad or possibly bad in the situation. Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21) You cannot just sit around and do nothing this month, even though that is exactly what you want to do. Get up and do something, it will make a big difference. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20) Don’t spend all your energy chasing after one thing this month. There are many good things in your life so spend time on all of them. Aquarius ( Jan 21-Feb 19) Even though you feel like you can’t decide, you already know which way you are going to go so stop putting it off, and start going. Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20) Happy Birthday! As this year’s cycle ends and the next one begins you will have more changes to deal with than usual. Deal with them all the best way you know how.

Tarot The 9 of Cups in the past means that you were content with your lot in life. Through a misunderstanding you have lost that contentment in the present time. You will need to ﬁght in the future to get it back, but there will be a price to pay for the victory.

runes The action is telling you not to waste your energy in the wrong way. Do not be selﬁsh or untrustworthy at this time. The challenge here comes from you having to watch what you have worked for slip away from you. These things do not abide. The overview is letting you know that these things are out of control at this time and that you must immerse yourself in the act of living to understand. “Relate The Self Rightly To The Self ”

March DVD Releases Julie & Julia: Based on two true stories, Julie & Julia intertwines the lives of two women who, though separated by time and space, are both at loose ends... until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible. Stars: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. The Informant: Matt Damon stars as Mark Whitacre, a real-life PhD student who became a whistleblower on an agricultural business when their practices become unlawful. Valued as a rising star at the company, Whitacre secretly set about compiling

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hours of video footage of malpractice over several years which revealed one of the biggest price-fixing scandals in history. Stars: Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey and Joel McHale Saw VI: With the FBI drawing ever closer to maniacal Hoffman, the detective is cornered into setting yet another gruesome game in motion: a blood-drenched pursuit that will finally shed light on the really reasons behind Jigsaw’s grand scheme. Stars: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Shawnee Smith. Fantastic Mr. Fox: Three horrible farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - are dedicated to destroying Mr. Fox; the wily and

The Spring Equinox falls on Saturday March 20th. The Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north at 17:32. On this date, the Sun rises just after 6 am and sets just after 6 pm. After this, the days grow longer than the nights. Summer Time begins on Sunday March 28th. Clocks should go one hour forward on the Saturday night. The Moon was Full on February 28th. In the ﬁrst week of March, the waning gibbous Moon rises later every night, but it continues to stay above the horizon until sunrise. The Moon is New on Monday March 15th. The very narrow crescent Moon could be visible in the western sky after sunset, any evening from Tuesday 16th onwards. As it waxes broader during the following week, it sets later each evening. Full Moon is at 02:25 on Tuesday March 30th, in Virgo. At this phase, the Moon is on the opposite side of the sky to the Sun; so it rises in the east at sunset, shines all through the night, and sets in the west at sunrise the following morning. Then, as it wanes to gibbous again, it rises later every evening, but continues to set just after sunrise. Mercury is at superior conjunction (almost directly behind the Sun) on March 14th. By the end of the month, this elusive little planet may be visible just after sunset, low in the west – close to the lower right of brilliant Venus. But we will get better views of Mercury at the start of April. Venus is emerging very slowly from behind the Sun. At the start of March, it’s setting in the west just an hour after sunset. But each evening it appears a little higher, and sets a little later, so it’s gradually getting easier to ﬁnd. The “Evening Star” is so brilliant, it can be seen even against a bright twilight sky. On the evening of Wednesday March 17th, the narrow crescent Moon will be almost directly above Venus, about 7 degrees apart. Mars is slowly moving further away from Earth, but the “Red Planet” is still bright, and easy to observe. It’s high in the southeastern sky at dusk, and it doesn’t set in the west until dawn. Relative to the stars, Mars is almost stationary in Cancer; towards the end of March, it starts to move very slowly to the south-east, away from the bright Twin stars of Gemini. But Mars is brighter wonderful Mr Fox, who makes a habit of eating their chickens. When they pull out all the stops and surround his den, Mr Fox must use all his cunning in a fantastic plan to keep his family and countryside friends safe. Stars: George Clooney, Owen Wilson and Meryl Streep. The Fourth Kind: Fact-based thriller involving an ongoing unsolved mystery in Alaska, where one town has seen an extraordinary number of unexplained disappearances during the past 40 years, and there are accusations of a federal cover up. Stars: Milla Jovovich, Will Patton and Hakeem Kae-Kazim. DVD reviews courtesy of Video Vault, Main St. Clifden. 095-22033.

March 2010

than any of the other stars in that part of the sky. The only object to rival Mars is the bright star Sirius, but that’s much lower down, and it twinkles different colours, whereas Mars shines with a steady orange light. On the evening of Thursday March 25th, the waxing gibbous Moon will be below Mars, about 7 degrees away. Jupiter was at superior conjunction (behind the Sun) in February, and the giant planet still won’t be visible this month. Saturn is very well placed for viewing this month. It’s at opposition to the Sun on March 22nd; so it is rising as the Sun sets; it’s due south at midnight, and it doesn’t set until sunrise. Relative to the stars, it’s moving very slowly north-westwards in Virgo. It’s midway between the bright star Spica, in Virgo, to its lower left, and the bright star Regulus, in Leo, to its upper right. But Saturn appears brighter than either of these stars, and it shines with a steadier light. Many of Saturn’s moons can also be seen in a telescope; the brightest one is Titan. Titan will be 3½ arc-minutes to the west of Saturn around March 3rd and 19th, very close to the north of the planet around March 7th and 23rd, 3½ arcminutes east around March 11th and 27th, and very close to the south around March 15th and 31st. In the evening of Monday March 1st, our own Moon, just past Full, will appear to the lower right of Saturn, about 8 degrees away. As the night goes by, the Moon moves further left, but it remains below Saturn all night. The Moon then continues to travel right around the sky, and comes back to Saturn at the end of the month. On the evening of Sunday 28th the Moon, now just before Full, is 12 degrees to the right of Saturn, and the following evening it’s a similar distance below it. Meteors: There are no major meteorshowers in March, but we may see a handful of meteors from the Virginid shower, which is usually active during March and April; they appear to radiate outwards from the constellation of Virgo. And sporadic meteors, which don’t belong to any shower, may be seen on any night and in any direction. Aurora Borealis: A display of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is impossible to predict in advance; it’s triggered by activity on the Sun, which may or may not interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. It often begins as a faint greenish glow low on the northern horizon. This may brighten and rise higher in the sky, as an arc of green light; in a good display, the arc will develop vertical rays, which often show different colours, and which may eventually converge into a “corona” almost overhead. In a really spectacular event, the sky may be completely covered with auroral light, and the strongest activity may even be in the southern sky. Activity on the Sun follows a cycle of roughly 11 years, which may now be slowly emerging from a prolonged minimum. However, even at minimum there are occasionally good auroral displays; and statistically, the aurora tends to be seen more often around the spring and autumn equinoxes. It’s always worth checking the northern sky, on any clear, dark night. John Claró

Connemara View Newspaper

Connemara Community Radio Weekly Schedule

Alissa Walsh Fund Baby Alissa Walsh’s parents Nicola and Gareth, and sister Kalen, wish to extend heartfelt thanks to all in the community who gave so generously in the recent fundraising events for baby Alissa. Alissa has been gravely ill during her short life to date, and requires round the clock care at home. Alissa had her first birthday recently, a milestone that at times we did not think she would reach, but she is a real fighter and the support we received has been a real help to us through these difficult times. Special thanks to Mickey Laffey and Joyce’s Bar in Cleggan, Donal Nee, Kathleen Mortimer, the organisers of the Ballyconneely fundraiser and the Clifden Community Council and all the individuals and business that made donations. Your kindness and generosity is deeply appreciated.

Broadcasting 11 am to 9 pm each day on 87.8 FM & 106.1 FM

Card Drive

Monday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme

Weather Forecast & Community Notices at 3pm, 4pm and 8pm. Sponsored by Broderick Electric, Sweeney Oil, Gannon Sports and The Oil Company.

12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. * Indicates Sponors

The organisers of the Card Drive for the Baby Alissa Walsh Fund wish to sincerely thank all those who took part and supported on the night, and in particular Keogh’s Bar for hosting the event, and McWilliams Shop & Post Oﬃce for their support also. Marty Early

UNICEF Ireland Volunteers of UNICEF Ireland carried out a bag packing day at Super Valu Clifden on January 29th. They wish to sincerely thank Joe and staﬀ, and of course all of those who gave so generously. Siona O’ Malley

Michael Mulkerrins The management committee and crew of the local Lifeboat Station, along with the entire community were shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Michael Mulkerrins, known to all as ‘Michael Happy’. Michael had one of the longest careers in the Clifden Lifeboat Crew and he had given long years of service to our station. Many people have reason to be thankful to Michael. May he rest in peace. Donal O Scanaill

Acknowledgements & Remembrances Price per word: €0.25. Photo: €5.

Death Notices Fr. Patrick Breen C.C. St Patricks Church, Recess Teresa Burke, Inishboﬁn Nora Conneely (nee Conroy), Bayleek, Clifden Helen Cosgrove, Cleggan Aidan Coyne, Market St, Clifden Cáit Flaherty, An Cheathru Rua Mary Heneghan, Leenane Vincent Joyce, Birmingham & Lehenagh, Cashel John Joyce, Leenane Mary Joyce, Derrasella, Cashel Alasdar MacCana, Oughterard & Spiddal John O’ Brien, Finney, Clonbur George Albert Spencer, Connemara & Bray, Wicklow Edward (Eddie) Sullivan, Renmore, formerly of Clifden Martin Sweeney, Tullyvoheen, Clifden Sarah Walsh, Cornamona The Connemara View would like to extend sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. This list is compiled from various sources and we apologise for any errors or omissions.

Connemara View Newspaper 7,500 copies distributed monthly throughout Connemara 095-22888 087-290-9351 news@connemaraview.com www.connemaraview.com Editor-in-Chief/Publisher: Ellen McDonough News Editor: Catherine Pryce Distribution Mgr: John Dunne Graphic Design/Layout: Marie-Noelle Biddulph Contributors: John Amenhauser, Breda Brady ,Tom Broderick,, Kathleen Burke, Rita Burke, Judy Cazabon, John Claró, Ann Conneely, Dorothy Conneely, Terri Conroy, Noreen Corbett, Deirdre Crookes, Pearse Doherty, Thomas Feneran, Paul Gannon, Sandy Glynn, Sharon Griffin, Leo Hallissey, Rosemary Hanley, Dr. Marian Hanrahan, Lol Hardiman, Seán Heanue, Marie Louise Heffernan, Michele Hehir, Bernie Jeff ries, Kate Joyce, PK Joyce, Roma Joyce, Lisa Kane, Peter Keane, Ness Kelly, Irene King, Mary Lacey, Joachim Lydon, Paula LydonLeslie Lyons, Brendan Madden, Declan Mannion, Thomas Mannion, Geraldine McTavish, Ann Mitchell, Geraldine Mills, Peter Moore, Aishling Nee, Caroline Nee, Grainne O’ Donnell, Patricia O’ Halloran, John O’Neill, Chloe O’ Neill O’ Sullivan, Sinead O’ Sullivan, Cathriona O’ Toole, Kate O’ Toole, Breandan O’Scanaill, Maurice O’Scanaill, Emma O’Sullivan, Breda O’ Toole, Niamh Philbin, Paddy Rock, Ruth Rogers, Bridget Sealy, Finian Sheridan, Olivia Staunton, Cepta Stephens, Theresa Tierney, Arthur Tormay, Dara Wallace, Amber Walsh, Harry Walsh, Margaret Walsh, Declan Weir.

Plus many local schools, groups & organisations. Photography by staﬀ unless credited otherwise.

Next Issue: Thursday, April 1st Ad Space Reservation Deadline March 19 News Deadline March 24 Directory Classified Deadline March 26

095-22888

www.connemaraview.com Connemara View Newspaper

March 2010

with Heather Heanue and Colleen Curran. 4-5pm: Listen Here with Pete Ball. 5.05-6pm: Hooked on Music with John Duane. *Clifden Chamber of Commerce. 6-7pm: Alternate Weeks - As Gaeilge with Caitriona Nic Ghiollaphadraig OR Heyday with Bobbi O Regan. 7-8pm: Talk Sport with Vivian Cotter. *Galway CoCo. 8pm: Roundstone Report with Richard de Stacpoole and Anne Conneely. 8.15-9pm: Ann’s Mixed Bag with Ann Conneely. Tuesday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Cliona Sheehan. *Connemara View Newspaper. 4-5pm: Reelin’ in the Years with Louisa Jack. 5.05-6pm: Jack’s Spot with Jack Tomlinson. 6- 7pm: Live with John Dunne. 7-8pm: Community Matters with Pat Walshe. *Tullycross and Cashel Credit Unions. 8pm: Cashel Report with Bernard Lee. 8.30-9pm: Classical Half Hour with Pat O’Toole. Wednesday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Mary Roe. 4-6pm: Gateway Hour with Mickey Mac. *SuperValu Clifden 6- 7pm: My Kind of Music with Martin Conroy. *ClifdenSupply Centre.78pm: Lift the Latch with Michael O’ Neill and Helen King. 8pm: Clifden Report with Breandan O’Scanaill. 8.15-9pm: Music with Pat Keaney. Thursday: 11am-12 Noon: FORUM Programme with Cathy Keane and Brendan O’Malley. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Kathleen O’Brien. 5.05-6pm: Fáilte with Mary Corbett Joyce. 6- 7pm: Take it Easy with Michael O’Toole. 7-8pm: The Great Outdoors with Breandan O’Scanaill. *Acton Construction.8 pm: Cleggan Claddaghduff Report with Mary Gordon O’Toole. 8.15-9pm: Specialist Music with Breandan O’Scanaill. Friday: 11am-12 Noon: Friday Fix with Samantha Heanue & Priscilla Diamond. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Tonya Ni Chuirínn. 5.05-6pm: The Friday Feeling with Margaret Sheehan. 6-7pm: Lyrical Allsorts with Linda O’Malley. 7-8pm: Injury Time with Dave O’Halloran. *AIB Clifden. 8pm: Ballyconneely Report with John O’ Malley. 8.15-9pm: American Country with Brendan Ridge. Saturday: 11am-12 Noon: Monkeying Around with Heather Kearney. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Tommy Roe and Keefa Mullan. 5.05-6pm: Pretty Good Day so Far! with Sean Halpenny. 6- 7pm: Blue Highways with Lol Hardiman. 7-9 pm: Music Spectacular Alternate Weeks - Shelter from the Storm with Dave O’ Halloran or Coast to Coast with Paul Phelan. Sunday: 10-11am: Sounds a Bit Irish with Eamonn McLoughlin.11am-12noon: Mass from Clifden. Listen Here with Pete Ball. 5.05-6pm: Words & Music with Kathleen Faherty . 6- 7pm: Footappin’ Time with Tom Mongan. 7-8pm: Senior Side of the Street with Josephine De Courcey. *FORUM. 8pm: Ballinakill Report with Paddy Gannon. 8.15-9pm: Decades of Hits with Michael Coyne.

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Oughterard’s West Side Story The transition year class of St Paul’s secondary school, Oughterard staged a hugely successful and entertaining production of West Side Story at the Oughterard Community Centre on February 11th and 12th. Pictured on the left are the cast: back (l-r) Jack Clegget, Brian Carey, Cian Harte, Anthony Dixon, Chris Forde, Alan Greene, Jennifer Faherty, Ciara Cramin, Rhiannon McGinn, Saoirse Baily, Dave Kelly, Shane Tierney, Justin McGeogh, Aaron Molloy, Eanna Malone and Simon Gibbons. Front (l-r): Roisin Walsh, Emily Gibbons, Diana Jakonyte, Shelia Berry, Rachael Keogh, Aoife Carter, Gintare Valentelyte, Ina Butler, Barbara Welby, Rebecca Walsh and Maeve O’Dowd. Photo by Tom Broderick

New Arrival Academic Award Congratulations to Aoife Brady of Cleggan, who is shown above receiving an award for Academic Excellence in Physics at NUI Galway in February. Photo courtesy of Breda Brady.

Graduation Success Emma Walsh of Renvyle, pictured below with her parents Arthur and Margaret Walsh has graduated from St.Angela’s College Sligo with an Honours Nursing Degree, and has recently taken up a nursing position in the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, England. Photo courtesy of Margaret Walsh.

Pictured above right, is Isabelle Maguire, who was born on September 9th, daughter of Aveline and Denis Maguire and ﬁrst grandchild of proud grandparents Matt and Eileen O’ Sullivan of Clifden. Photo courtesy of Sinéad O’ Sullivan.

Wedding Bells Congratulations to Maura Madden of Roundstone and Christopher Mercaitis pictured above left, who were married on September 19th in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Brigid Madden.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Congratulations to Dell and Dick Cronnelly from Renvyle who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. Pictured above are back (l-r): Ricky Cronnelly, Geraldine Goggin, Cathy Cronnelly, Noreen Corbett and John Cronnelly. Front: Dell and Dick Cronnelly. Photo courtesy of Noreen Corbett.

90th Birthday Congratulations to Merle Morris of Ballinaboy House, Clifden who celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends on January 27th. Her sons Dermot, James, Tim and their families, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, joined her for a celebratory family supper the following weekend. She is pictured above with friends (l-r):Una Walsh, Stephanie Brooks, Mary Joyce, Eileen Halliday and Doreen Linton.

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March 2010

40 Year Celebration Pictured above are Paul and Brian Hughes of Abbeyglen Castle Hotel with Velta Conneely as they celebrated 40 years in business when the hotel reopened for 2010 on February 4th.

Connemara View Newspaper

Return to Railway? Is the Galway to Clifden Railway line which was closed in 1935 opening again soon? This sign appeared at Bunnakill level crossing near Maam Cross in the month of February! Photo courtesy of Leslie Lyons.

Maiden Journey Siobhan Geary of Carna, who is the ﬁrst female train driver from Connacht, pictured before undertaking her ﬁrst solo journey from Galway to Dublin. Photo courtesy of Geraldine McTavish.

Super Valu Monthly Photo Contest The winner for the month of February of our new photo competition was Heather Greer of Cleggan, with her take on the theme of ‘Love’; a 10 minute old calf being tenderly looked after by its mother. Every month, Kavanagh’s Super Valu of Clifden are oﬀering the fantastic prize of a €50 shopping voucher for the photo judged best on a diﬀerent theme each month. The winning entries will be displayed at Super Valu Clifden and on www.connemaraview. com. The theme for the month of March is ‘Signs of Spring’. Themes may be interpreted in any way imaginable-so think creatively and get snapping! The closing date for entries is Wednesday March 24th. Photos must be original, have not been previously published, should be relevant to Connemara and be approximately 1Mb in size. They can be dropped to the dedicated Photo Competition box next to the express till at Kavanagh’s Super Valu Clifden; posted to Connemara View, Clifden, Co. Galway; or e-mailed to news@connemaraview.com

Business Notes

For more information on Yellow Door courses and classes contact Elaine Enright on 085-154-4664.

Elaine Enright’s Yellow Door Productions and Expressive Arts School has been busily and successfully gathering momentum for almost a year now in Clifden, teaching and developing stage and performance skills to children and young people in an impressive array of disciplines. Elaine, who originally hails from Co. Limer-

Patrick Howard is an American-born Irishman who grew up in a family of photographers and photography has since been his enduring passion. He has now brought passion and business together and has opened a photography studio in Clifden town, situated on Market Street and open six days a week. The studio will cater for all photographic needs including family

Skills for Stage and Life

ick, has a very comprehensive performance background, including teaching dance and choreography with Trading Faces Stage School and Casting Agency and Stage Coach Galway, dancing with the Cork City Ballet, singing in Bunratty Castle and acting and performing on the main stages of Cork, Galway and Limerick. She has also directed a number of successful stage productions and appeared and taken part in many parades and large scale events such as the Dublin St Patrick’s Day Parade, Volvo Ocean Race and The Ryder Cup festivities. Elaine’s tag line for Yellow Door is ‘Skills for the stageconfidence for life’ and she has enjoyed excellent feedback from participants in workshops and classes to date, as well as their parents. She also has now completed a new state of the art dance studio on the second floor of the Station House Railway Bar building in Clifden, an ideal backdrop for all expressive disciplines. Elaine’s enthusiasm for what she does is clearly apparent, and her huge repertoire of skills include teaching hip-hop, modern, jazz and salsa dancing, singing, ballet and creative dance, piano and cello lessons, acting and theatre performance, tai chi and more. Elaine says “Working in arts is what makes me most proud, and any of the kids or teenagers I pass on skills or direction to can do it. It’s not a huge leap for them-I didn’t study full time abroad. I’m just like them and all it takes is dedication, passion and talent”. A one day special Circus workshop will take place on Saturday March 13th at 4pm, followed by a circus and dance parade by Yellow Door performers and a free professional fire show in the Station House from 6-7pm.

Connemara View Newspaper

One Stop Photo Shop

portraits, instant postcards, personalised greeting cards, artist reproductions, publicity/promotion photos, product/advertising shots, pet portraits (for well behaved pets only!) and much more on request. Patrick will also be available for hire for debs, communions, christenings and all types of events. Patrick has twenty years of photographic experience in all of the above-mentioned ﬁelds and oﬀers a relaxed, professional manner in a friendly environment that will make getting a portrait taken an enjoyable experience, with top quality results at reasonable prices. For more information contact Patrick at 083-3524061 or call in to the studio on Market St, Clifden.

Beauty at Síor Óg Síor Óg Beauty Rooms is a new business oﬀering a wide and comprehensive range of beauty treatments run by Renvyle’s Tanya Keegan. Tanya is a recent graduate of the Anne Tobin Beauty and Holistic College in Castlebar and oﬀers treatments such as waxing, tinting, nail care, spray tanning, ear piercing, eyelash perming and Dermalogica facials, as well as the latest innovation in light augmentation teeth whitening, Cosmetic Bright Teeth Whitening. Tanya currently operates from her own private residence, about a mile and a half from Renvyle House Hotel and is available by appointment from Wednesday to Saturday. For information or bookings, call Tanya on 095-43771 or 087-147-8255.

March 2010

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March 2010

Connemara View Newspaper