Breaking News

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

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 1 Limerick 3-15 Clare 1-18 Early sunstroke for Clare after being blitzed by three final quarter Limerick goals in an unprecedented 12 point turnaround in Ennis, writes Eoin Brennan. In what seemed the real start of the summer amidst soaring temperatures in a capacity 20,055 Cusack Park, Clare seemed to be on track for a rousing opening derby victory when soaring nine clear by the turn of the final quarter. With talisman Tony Kelly also subsequently introduced, the script was written for an early statement of intent from the recently crowned National League champions. However, much like their flooring opening round reverse to a five goal Tipperary this time last year, Clare would be largely the architects of their own downfall as not only were they outscored by 3-6 to 0-3 in a war-weary finish but all three goals were emininently preventable. It makes their trip to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday all the …

TUAMGRANEY historian and author Dr Tomás Mac Conmara is set to spend time in the US state of Arkansas, where he will work with the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas to help build a project to document the memories and tradition of the Irish American community living there. The project is being funded by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate of Ireland, Austin, who have invited Dr Mac Conmara to bring his expertise in the field of oral heritage stateside. Dr Mac Conmara is recognised as one of Ireland’s leading oral historians, with multiple national projects including with the Local Government Management Agency, Dublin Port, the National Museum of Ireland, the Defence Forces, as well as several local authorities. The project in Arkansas is called Deep Memories: The Arkansas Irish Oral Heritage Project and aims to digitally record, preserve and disseminate the unique memories, testimony and tradition of members of the Irish American …

Plans are underway in Kilrush to restore the former Mars Cinema building to its former glory with Clare County Council confirming the site is to be evaluated for potential re-development. Following a public tender process, the Council have commissioned a private tourism consultancy, Tourism Development International (TDI) for advice, and a feasibility study of the site commenced in January. An Cathaoirleach for West Clare Municipal District, Councillor Ian Lynch (Ind) has said he hopes a public meeting to be held in Kilrush in early summer will outline the study’s findings and seek community feedback on the emerging concepts for the former cinema. The Council says the aim of the study is to examine if there is a market opportunity to develop a viable attraction or business at the buildings and lands, for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike. And it maintains a future concept plan for Mars Cinema must be fully informed by the local economic context …

An Ennis EU candidate has raised a few eyebrows with the phraseology he used to describe President Michael D Higgins as “The National Leprechaun” and the “performing flea of Irish politics” in a recent tweet on social media. Commenting on a story headlined “President: It is not essential to own a home”, Michael Leahy stated on X (formerly twitter): “The National Leprechaun, the performing flea of Irish politics, he who must be listened to, strikes again. The only way we can be free from the predations of the state is property ownership. “They will come after your property, either by constitutional attack or using the judges.” The Irish Freedom Party chairman is contesting the Ireland South constituency in the European Parliament elections on June 7. Deputy Michael McNamara said he disagreed with President Higgins’ views on home ownership because if anyone owns a dwelling, it is easy to say you don’t need to own one. “Many people across Europe even …

Munster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final Clare 2-20 Waterford 1-09 A completely different team but admirably the same result as Clare eased into back-to-back Munster Senior Football Finals for the first time in 87 years in Fraher Field, Dungarvan, writes Eoin Brennan. Despite the home side’s current buoyancy following their first Munster Championship triumph in 14 years against Tipperary last time out, Mark Fitzgerald’s side quickly quelled any potential revolt with a clincially professional performance. Indeed, they answered Jason Curry’s opening minute point with the next seven through five different scorers (Emmet McMahon (2), Aaron Griffin (2), Dermot Coughlan, Darragh Bohannon, Mark McInerney) and never looked back over their shoulders thereafter as goals through Emmet McMahon and Mark McInerney either side of the break cemented a provincial final showdown with Kerry long before the turn of the final quarter at 2-13 to 0-5. Even a Tom O’Connell home goal couldn’t rally a downtrodden Deise as Aaron Griffin (2) and Ciaran Downes …

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

When Clare bring war to Cusack Park it creates a championship atmosphere to rival any other venue in the country, writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh ahead of Sunday’s game when the Banner County hope to put a marker down and take the All-Ireland champions’ scalp. “Clare, wearing the old saffron jerseys with blue hoops for the first time in years, crashed into the exchanges from the word go in a manner reminiscent of their ancestors’ assault on the English ranks in Fontenoy.” Gerry McCarthy, The Irish Press, 1972 It’s a war to the power of hurling. Same as it ever was. Febrile, hostile, primal and all topped and tailed by all-consuming bursts of noise to the ebb, and flow and giving it that concertina effect – all somehow self-contained within the airspace of the ground. It’s home to what Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin calls organised ‘chaos’ and ‘markers down’, while Podge Collins cuts to that almost spiritual and awe-inspiring feeling of having …