February '02 News
The 'Quiet Man' Cottage at Peacocke's went on fire just before the annual
Bogman's Ball on Saturday night - the thatch is completely gone. Galway
and Clifden Fire Brigade attended, but before they arrived the staff had
done their best to keep it under control but the winds were too strong
and really hampered all efforts to save it. "John Wayne", "Maureen
O Hara" etc. and many of the artifacts were saved. The staff are
really to be praised, most had to get changes of clothes etc. and then
worked on for the ball catering for 375 people !!! And at 5pm on Sunday
the children from Holy Cross (Ardoyne) school were due to arrive!! - thanks
to Caitríona from Buttermilk
Lodge for the news.
Road Restoration Programme
2002
At a recent meeting, Connemara Councillors were told that spending
on the region’s non-national roads for 2002 and beyond would exceed
�17.6million. The Connemara Advertiser looks into how this is funded and
how the money will be allocated.
‘More Male Voices Required’
says Cantairi Chonamara
Connemara’s own choral group, Cantairi Chonamara, recently
issued an urgent appeal for men. Intrigued, the Connemara Advertiser wanted
to know more... “You might say we’re almost seven nations and
seven ages,” said Musical Director, Aodán McGlynn. “Our
members range from the low twenties upwards in age - and we originate
from lots of different countries,” he added, “but what we really
need now is for more male voices to come forward. The lack of men limits
what you can do as a choir.”
Reopening of Ballyconneely
Foroige
A month ago, parents of the community of Ballyconneely held meetings
with the Forum Adolescent Support Project to discuss setting up a Foroige
Club. They envisaged many obstacles – for example the fact that the
community hall is no longer in use, meant that finding a venue was the
first problem.
Fair Exchange: Clifden Students
go to France
After eighteen months of planning, students from Clifden Community
School are about to set out on an exchange trip to France. Teacher, Billy
Gilmore reports: Fifteen senior students from Clifden Community School
will travel to Lens for two weeks from February 15th to March 5th. Three
teachers will accompany the Transition Year and Fifth Year students. The
students will stay with families in the Lens area. Lens is a city in Northern
France close to the Belgian border. This educational trip is completely
funded by the EU Socrates Programme, which is overseen by the Educational
Exchange Bureau, Leargas.
Cashel News
NEW OLYMPIC HANDBALL CLUB: The success of Olympic Handball
in North West Connemara took another leap forward with the founding of
a new club structure for the area. The meeting of interested people took
place in the Alcock and Brown Hotel, Clifden, on 30th January and the
following structures were put in place. The new club is to be formed from
players from North West Connemara, including the Carna area. The club
will be known as the 'Beanna Beola' Olympic Handball Club. Plus Youth
Club, Ogras Club latest.
Letterfrack News
Taréis na Feile Bríde was a brilliant success. The village
of Letterfrack hummed with music for the whole weekend and a great time
was had by all. The McCarthy sisters from London and Clare played a great
gig at the Bard’s Den and were joined by a blast of local singers
and players.
Rugby News - All Blacks the
Victors against a determined Waterpark
Brendan Mullen reports: Saturday, 9th February saw the restart
of the AIB All Ireland League following a welcome break for the All Blacks
- and a most enjoyable start to the Six Nations as Ireland thumped Wales
in their first match of the series.
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Clifden Chamber
of Commerce AGM Minutes, supplied by Kevin Barry (file
is an MS Word document. Click on headline above to open/download).
Detailed report on topics straight from the horse's mouth such as
TREASURER'S REPORT, LOTTO REPORT, FREEFLOW CLIFDEN, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS,
CLIFDEN BROCHURE, TIDY TOWNS, THE HARBOUR AREA, TOURISM, MARKET HILL,
GRAVEYARD, SPECIAL OLYMPICS, SECRETARY'S REPORT and COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
|
Clifden Chamber of Commerce
Latest
Pat Casey was elected President of Clifden Chamber of Commerce
at its AGM on Thursday, 24 Jan. Pat, a Senior Bank Official at the Bank
of Ireland’s Clifden branch, proved to be a popular choice and was
unanimously elected by the Chamber’s council.
Also: Clifden Visitor Guide 2002 - Clifden Lotto Report - Tidy Towns Report
MINDS ALTERING - CLIFDEN COMMUNITY
SCHOOL DESIGN TEAM APPOINTED
The issue of ‘refurbish versus rebuild’ has
for some time vexed school authorities, parents and politicians alike.
For some time it had seemed that the door was firmly closed on the ‘rebuild’
option, but important new developments have once again raised hopes that
the town will, in the end, get a brand new school. Ben Crow investigates.
Cashel News by Bernard Lee
The final qualifying rounds for the Under 13s North West Connemara
Olympic handball took place in the town hall in Clifden on 21 January.
There was a Boy’s League and a Girl’s League with teams from
Ballinakill, Omey, Clifden and St. Cailins competing. Three teams had
already played a series of matches before this date, while St. Cailins
were playing all of their matches on the day.
Also: Cashel credit Union Quiz - Cashel Graveyard
Letterfrack News
V.T.O.S. comes to Letterfrack: A Vocational Training Opportunities
Scheme (VTOS) has just commenced in Letterfrack through the offices of
the County Gaiway Vocational Education Committee.
Nine Fridays: On the last Friday of every month, over a period
of nine months, concerts in Letterfrack National School have been broadcast
on Connemara Communty Radio. The night consists of local talent plus our
special guests who will include, Sean Tyrell, Mairtin O'Connor, Luka Bloom,
The Josephine Marsh Band, John Spillane and many more exciting names.
Roundstone News by Richard
de Stacpoole
The outcome of the planning application process for the proposed Roundstone
Marina is expected shortly. When the matter is finally settled, I will
be writing a more detailed article on this but, in the meantime, here
are a few of my thoughts on the subject. It goes without saying that the
design of the Marina will be environmentally friendly and in keeping with
our wonderful Roundstone scenery. It will take into account many of the
issues and concerns that local people may have about this exciting project.
Rugby News
Connemara Rugby Football Club Junior Rugby Results since 15/12/01
Charles Bourke reports. Plus: Connemara All Blacks Defeated by
Highly Motivated Corinthians, 19 Jan., by Brendan Mullen.