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“I HAVE never been as happy as I am now,” talented 17-year-old River McGann tells us as he celebrates being crowned ‘Fiddler of London 2024’ at the weekend. There was success on the double for Clare in the prestigious international competition with Doora-Barefield teenager Jack Dilleen also being named ‘Up and Coming Fiddler of London’. The musicians both travelled to London at the weekend where they showcased their talents at the Fiddler of London Festival taking place across two days at the London Irish Centre. River was among 12 finalists who took to the stage at the festival’s grand final on Saturday night. Judge Donál O’Connor praised River for demonstrating “a uniquely individualistic, creative, stylistic and confident demonstration of fiddling beyond his young years.” Speaking to The Clare Champion River says he was stunned to take the overall title of ‘Fiddler of London’. “There were a couple of names I was expecting him to say when he was calling the …

The ancient tradition of the May Tree Dance will be celebrated afresh in Carron next month, with members of the public invited to join Edwina Guckian for a one-off event in the Burren. The Clare dancer has discovered ancient descriptions of the dance, which dates back thousands of years, and is using these description to develop of modern approximation of how our ancestors might have danced. The event, which is being organised by the BurrenBeo Trust, will take place in Carron on May 6, but there will be two free workshops this weekend for anyone who wants to learn more about the dance and the ancient pagan May traditions in Clare. “In ancient times people would decorate their May tree, which is usually a hawthorn tree, the tree of the fairies. Bealtaine is a really busy time for the fairies and the devilment that they get up to, or so our ancestors would have believed,” said Edwina. “The idea of …

CLARE patients who are concerned about persistent high levels of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have been urged to support another protest – “Drive To Save Lives” this Saturday. Hot on the heels of a demonstration outside UHL coinciding with the visit of Health Minister Stephen Donnelly (FF) on Thursday, the Mid-West Hospital Campaign has organised a vehicle convoy to drive home the message that one Emergency Department (ED) is not enough for the region. This latest protest marks 15 years since the controversial removal of 24-hour casualty cover from Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s Hospital on April 6, 2009. There will be a convoy leaving Ennis at 11am. Clare Marts complex has allowed participants to gather in their car park from 10.45am. The vehicle convoy will leave Ennis and travel the old road via Clarecastle and Newmarket on Fergus to Limerick City. It will converge with the Limerick and Tipperary convoys at the main assembly point near St …

Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey knows more than most the pain of final defeats. After last year’s league and Championship deciders ending in agonising losses to Kildare, Harvey was delighted to come out the right side in a national final. The Player of the Match certainly led from the front as her driving run played a vital role in Ailish Considine’s 15th minute goal. It was Clare’s first score of the day and gave them a lead they would never relinquish. Harvey was quick to spread the praise elsewhere though as she praised a rock solid defence that did not concede a score from play until the 59th minute. “It is just about giving the girls light and hope and show that we are actually good enough and that we can actually put it up to the opposition. Even a girl that turns the ball inside in the backs. Siofra and Grainne, Laurie, Teresa Collins blocked a ball. That is as …

Munster Under 20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 1 Kerry 1-13 Clare 0-05 A new year but the status quo remains in situ as holders Kerry rolled in and out of West Clare with little fuss to complete a successful first defence of their Munster Under 20 crown in Páirc Naomh Muire, Quilty. The evening seemed ripe for an upset or at least a revolt as the stormy conditions allied to Clare’s three match Phase 1 experience appeared set to provide a hostile competitive bow for the holders. Appearances were deceiving though as despite a gale at their backs for the opening period, Clare not only failed to ruffle Kerry’s feathers but never even took the lead at any stage as an early Charlie Keating goal left the home side playing catch-up for the remainder of the half. Lateral passing and no direct target at the edge of the square, clear anomalies against Tipperary in similar circumstances at the same …

Well, wasn’t I the busy little dog over the St Patrick’s weekend. I hardly had time to draw breath. But before I tell you all about it, I have some exciting news to share. A few months ago, I noticed that Stena Line had a competition for the best pawliday snaps and I barked at the pawrents to submit one of my many holiday photos. Eventually, we decided on a lovely picture of me gazing out at London Bridge on the banks of the Thames. Well, imagine the excitement when an email arrived telling us we’d won a return ferry trip to the UK, including access to the exclusive pet lounge on the boat. I could hardly contain my excitement and I hear a trip to Scotland in August is on the cards. Back to my roots! I must practice my Scottish accent before I go. Back to St Patrick and my weekend started early with a photo shoot at …

DATES for public engagement events on Ennis 2040 plans for the development of the Post Office Field have been announced. Clare County Council together with Ennis 2040 DAC is inviting residents and stakeholders in Ennis to come along to public drop-in events as part of the Post Office Field development public consultation. According to a spokesperson for Ennis 2040 the dates have been scheduled “to allow members of the public to view the plans that are in development and meet in person with the project team.” The public engagement drop-in events are taking place at the Civic Room, Waterpark Campus, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis (Eircode V95 RR72) on: Wednesday, April 24 from 6pm to 8pm; and Thursday, April 25 from 5pm to 7pm. The proposed development will consist of an elevated boardwalk designed around river biodiversity, habitat and wildlife.  The boardwalk will also provide connectivity and spectacular views of the town’s historic heritage and create a new destination for people to meet …

THIRTY seven year old Keith McNamara from Cluain Airne is running in the upcoming local elections as an independent. “I’ve been thinking about it for a number of years. The town is being neglected in some ways,” he said. “There are lots of maintenance issues, its public spaces have been neglected, and I want to represent the voice of the people of Shannon. I feel like it has been underrepresented a little bit for the past couple of years. “I was never a member of a party. I like politics, I’ve been interested in it since I was in my teens. “I’ve also been involved in numerous community groups since I was a teenager. I like being involved with things that contribute to a better life for everyone, planning for the future and contributing to the town and its environs.” On his current community involvement, he said, “Currently I’m involved with Wolfe Tones, I’m a member of Limerick Lawn Tennis …