The Clare People Archive

WHEN Crack’d Spoon Theatre was formed just over 12 months ago the fledging theatre group promised to introduce new forms of theatre to west Clare.

The Kilkee group has delivered on that promise as it brings the first taste of physical theatre by a Clare group to west Clare.

Influenced by local artist and Ger- man native Astrid Adler the latest production draws from the European Experience of Theatre.

The mime artist, who now lives in Monmore was part of the group that led a workshops held in Kilrush through May and June.

She worked with the production team comprising of Rob Hopkins who concentrated on improvisa-

tion and co-founder Mick Daly who worked on Group Dynamics.

A powerful creative force was un- leashed at the workshops and the result was a series of interconnected sketches drawing on physical theatre techniques and using light and shad- ow to create strange and wonderful atmospheres.

Working on this the group made up of actors, professional theatre producers and members of the local community put together the produc- tion “The Trip” – which according to Mr Hopkins “takes a side way look at the tourist experience 1n west Orem

In the process of developing the show the group started to experiment with the stage as a black box, and created a black box theatre.

“We got away from talking and

guided tours, and gave people a more physical experience of what hap- pens,’ he said.

The play consists of comedy sketches without or with minimised dialogue, elements of dance, pup- petry and song.

With this form of theatre objects come to life and animals appear as if by magic.

“We fish, birdspot, cliff walk and coach tour in the company of this enigmatic troupe who give the West Clare Experience a surreal twist,” said Mr Hopkins.

“Tt is slightly farcical or slightly bi- zarre.”

The show will take place in the Kilkee Community Centre on Fri- day next, August 8, and the follow- ing Friday, August 15, having re- ceived its first outing on Friday last.

Door opens at 8pm with curtain at oe) 9) 008

Crack’d Spoon Theatre plans to take the show on the road in Septem- ber or October.

The advantageous theatre company planned an old fashioned variety show just two months after it was formed in July 2007.

The brainchild of Kilkee thespians Kenneth Blowers and Mick Daly, the company achieved its goal then and is Just as determined to reach the new goal it has now set itself.

THE world famous Artane Band for- ever linked in the GAA psyche with All-Ireland Sundays will now bring its marching music to Kilkee.

As part of a series of concerts or- ganised by the Kilkee Civic Trust to bring entertainment to the seaside town during the peak summer season while also helping local voluntary or- ganisations. The band, in it’s red and blue uniform, will play Kilkee Parish

Church on Thursday next at 8pm in aid of the local GAA club.

St Senan’s GAA Club is one of the best-known senior football clubs in the county.

With 150 members and numerous players, the funds raised will go to- wards general funds for the club.

The Artane band under the musi- cal direction of Ronan O’Reilly will be joined for part of the programme by the Kilkee Parish Choir under the direction of Choir Mistress, Peggy

Us

O’Reilly said, “’We are delighted to be playing for the first time in the wonderful resort town of Kilkee and to bring a little of the Croke Park at- mosphere to help raise funds for the local GAA club, St Senan’s.”

The programme will feature some well-known pieces from the light classical, the musicals and a newly arranged Irish medley.

Continuing with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Richard Har-

ris’s 1968 hit MacArthur Park, the band will play its own rendition of this classic in a special arrangement by the director.

The concert which is part of the Kilkee Civic Trust summer series 1s presented in association with Sum- mer Music on the Shannon, another County Clare based initiative, cur- rently underway in UCH, Limerick.

Tickets can be purchased from Wil- liams Pharmacy and Nolan’s Delica- tessen Kilkee and on the door.

THE popular Miltown Malbay week- ly farmer’s market is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Despite claims last week by a mar- ket member that accessibility to the market was problematic, it has been hailed as an ideal location with shop- pers and market officials coming out in support of Miltown’s newest shop- ping experience.

The farmer’s market found its home on the edge of the original Fair Green in the recently restored Miltown Business Centre in Miltown Malbay during the May bank holiday

weekend

Although it is just three months old it is already attracting locals and tourists to that part of town every Friday evening from 4.30pm to 7pm.

The stalls are set up on a Friday af- ternoon inside the original stonewalls which flanked the market green. The cobbled stone courtyard, with tradi- tional shop fronts and lighting, cre- ates an idealistic atmosphere for a vibrant, bustling, intimate market.

The colourful umbrellas of stall holders coupled with the delicious smell of fresh baking entice shoppers to browse among the stalls and many of them linger for the chat.

Local people are particularly pleased with the new market and Fri- day evenings in the Miltown Busi- ness Centre have become a regular, social gathering for many.

“Stall holders are pleased with the venue as the enclosed, Victorian style courtyard provides shelter from the west Clare weather while retaining the authenticity of an outdoor mar- ket. The stall holders are very grate- ful that the Miltown Business Centre welcomed them, free of charge to hold their market in such an ideal location,” said Hilary Gleeson, Rural Development Officer at EIRI Corca BE ONONEE

The market stalls provide a variety of fare such as farmhouse cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, home baking and confectionary, local vegetables, summer fruits, plants and delicious, hot crepes.

The new farmer’s market in the Miltown Business Centre is always encouraging more local food produc- ers especially vegetables, meat, poul- try and fish to join by contacting Ms Gleeson at 9056611 or 086 8235598 or local baker and stall holder Cora O’Grady on 087 1354192.

BEACH goers in Kilkee will have the opportunity to sample a unique rugby event that goes ahead on the sand in front of the Strand Hotel this Saturday.

Organised by the Limerick Lep- rechauns – made up of former play- ers from the Clare, Limerick, north Kerry and Tipperary regions – all proceeds from the beach game will go to the Clare Sunset Foundation, which provides assistance to almost 100 sight impaired people across Oe

As has become tradition, the game will also usher in the new rugby sea- son in Munster.

“This will be our 25th year in ex- istence,” said president Vinny Ryan. “The Leprechauns bring together players from rugby clubs throughout the mid-west and gives players an Opportunity to extend their playing careers as well as the chance to raise funds for charities in the area.

“Essentially, those are the twin reasons why the club was first es- tablished. And the Kilkee game will

mark a major watershed in our his- tory as it’s going to herald the first game in our quarter of a century year of celebration.”

On the day, members of the char- ity rugby club will walk the beach in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide funds. Afterwards, a barbecue will

take place at Scott’s Bar in Kilkee.

“It promises to be a great day out,” said committee member Packie Dur- kan. “The rules of the game are gov- erned by the IRB and come under the veterans rules. All those taking part will be over 35 years-of-age and the eldest member we have is actually 74. So we’re an eclectic bunch.”

The Clare Sunset Foundation has a membership of 96 at present and the organisation arranges trips to Lourdes for those whose vision 1s impaired.

This week, the Leprechauns also announced that they have just signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Shannon Precision which is set to ensure a strong foundation for their endeavours up to 2011.

To date, the club has raised just short of €1 million with every cent ploughed back into local charities. Last season they raised in excess of €75,000 and with the new season about to unfold, the plan is to match that fundraising figure.

It all begins in Kilkee this Saturday at 3pm.

For further information on the Clare Sunset Foundation contact 065 6824875 and to get in contact with the Limerick Leprechauns visit www.limerickleprechauns.com

FLAGMOUNT youngsters have been creating a splash for almost 30 years and they are all set to do it again this year.

The annual water safety classes at Flagmount Pier have taught hun- dreds of youngsters to swim over the years and dozens have learned skills that have saved lives.

Local secretary of the Water Safety Association, Kathleen McNamara, said that she herself first took the plunge in the lake.

“It’s where I learned to swim and it’s a great place to learn. People who learn in the lake are stronger swim- mers in the long run, I believe,” said Kathleen.

For two weeks every year instruc- tors give basic swimming lessons as well as taking experienced swim- mers through rescue and life-saving ROA SOLUN Kee

Children as young as five come along to the classes, which are run in half-hour slots every day.

Older people are also welcome and many of Clare’s qualified lifesavers

have got their stripes at the annual Flagmount water safety course.

More than 60 people signed on for last week’s course with instructor, Michael Donnellan and this week, Lorraine Tracey is the woman in charge.

There is a fee, but it is at a reason- able price to encourage as many peo- ple as possible to learn to swim.

‘We want people to be able to enjoy the water safely and the best way for them to do that is to have lessons and advice on staying safe,” said Kath- leen.

“It’s a great thing to have a facility like this in an area. You need these facilities in rural communities,’ said Kathleen.

The classes are open to everyone. Anyone who would like to join can still do so, just turn up at the pier be- fore the 10am off and sign on.

THIS week, east Clare will become the first leg on a journey which will end in the heat of the African bush.

A bunch of brave bikers will risk saddle-sores and other discomforts on aride of 1500 kilometres to raise money for children’s charities on the Enduro Africa run.

Clare biker, Mikey Bergin is kick- starting his journey with a final fund- raising run on August 9.

He hopes to be joined by 99 other bikers who will each make a donation

to take part in a ride which will take the participants across the bridge in Westbury, through Corbally, Ard- nacrusha and on to Killaloe, through east Clare to Ennis and finally on to Miltown Malbay and Doolin, where he’s planned a party.

The African run – organised by the Ride For Life organisation – will take place in November and Mikey has spent the last year raising the Stg£5,000 necessary to take part in the challenge.

“With the money, we will buy bikes over there – that’s all been organised

in advance and when we’re finished the ride, the bikes will be donated to health workers in Africa,” said Mikey.

The organisers also guarantee that a minimum of £1,500 from each rider’s participation fee will go to the childrens’ charities involved, UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Chil- drens’ Fund and the Prince’s Trust, with 400 riders in all taking part.

The trip starts in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and continues on a 1500 kilometre circuit.

Mikey has been “doing all kinds

of stuff to raise money. I had a 7/0’s night, a rock night, a poker classic – you name it. But I’m almost there and this will be my last event.

‘“That’s why I’ve thrown a bit of a party afterwards, with bands and a barbecue.”

Mikey, who has “been a biker for a few years” normally rides a GXR 600 but bought “an off-road bike to practice for this because a huge amount of the ride will be off-road. I’ve never done anything like this be- fore so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a challenge,” he said.

PLANS are underway to establish a walking trail in the Shannon and Bunratty areas.

It has been suggested that the trail will be in the shape of a loop, tak- ing in Shannon and Bunratty and also linking up with the Mid-Clare Walkway.

A public meeting took place in Shannon a number of weeks ago, during which a high level of inter- est in the proposal was expressed. Locals felt that it would be a huge boost to the Shannon area, while it would also play a significant role in promoting the town on national and

international levels.

It was suggested that a plan for the initiative would be drawn up and that is now underway.

The proposal is the brainchild of the managing director of the Oak- wood Arms Hotel in Shannon, Victor O’Sullivan. He said if the plan gets the go-ahead, it would be the first of its kind in this geographical area.

“It would be the first one for Shan- non. It is something that is badly needed and would make good use of the Shannon estuary banks. A lot of the walk is there already. I was hop- ing to create a full extensive loop,’ said Mr O’Sullivan.

“It would be a great opportunity for

tourism,” he said.

What has been suggested is a 10 kilometre trek, which would appeal to both local residents and tourists alike.

A route would have to be mapped out, while the issue of crossing the R471 would also have to be ad- dressed, prior to any final decision being made.

Cyril Killeen, who is the walks of- ficer for Clare, said the proposal is currently being considered.

“We are assessing the facilities for developing a walking trail in Shan- non and surrounding areas. We are looking at developing a loop in the town and out to Bunratty and up to

link with the mid-Clare way and Newmarket-on-Fergus,’ said Mr Killeen.

“It can happen. It will take time. If you are crossing into private land, it can take a long time, depending on how easy you get access,” said the PN eme Noe

He said that the possibility of set- ting up walkways in other parts of the county, including west Clare, the Burren and Ennis, has also been mooted.

“We are trying to get walks all over the county,’ added Mr Killeen.

It is hoped that Shannon Develop- ment or Failte Ireland could play some role in funding the project.

CHILDREN in the Shannon area have been engrossed in their work at the town’s library over the past few weeks.

Staff at the Sean Lemass library have put together a varied pro- gramme of events, specifically geared towards children. It includes workshops and special events given by guest presenters, as well as the regular arts and crafts and storytime sessions every week.

The art workshop was particularly entertaining as Brendan Gordon helped the youngsters to make a pa- per maché tree, by pasting strips of newspapers over a skeleton of wood and chicken wire. This was left to dry for a week and the enthusiastic youngsters then finished the work- shop by painting and decorating the nKcton

While the past few weeks have been very busy, there is still plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks, in advance of the schools re-opening.

Children aged between eight and 16 will be invited to take part in the Playstation 3 competition. Playsta- tion and Penguin books have linked up to promote the games console as a device whose sole function is not only to play games, but to watch movies, upload and listen to music, access the internet and upload, store and browse through photographs. “The competition is aimed at eight to 16-year-olds, who are asked to take a digital photograph which cap- tures an image they feel best repre-

sents their favourite Artemis Fowl book,” said Marie Clohessy of the Sean Lemass library.

The Playstation team will visit Shannon library on August 15, be- tween 10am and 5pm, to upload the entries that children are asked to bring along, stored on their digital or Naas eek

SIXMILEBRIDGE has gone inter- national – in the shape of a balloon. A helium balloon which was released GLUT N Toa NACoMM DUE ToM MEK COONMmmCIUIOONDELoIA festival made its way to Italy, while another flew all the way to France, much to the amusement of the organ- isers.

The balloons were among a batch of 500 released into the air during the festival on July 20. Each balloon had

a plastic label attached, with direc- tions to return it to the local Bridge Complex.

While one balloon made its way to Scotland two years ago, no one could have envisaged that any balloon would make its way as far afield as France or Italy this year.

‘About four days after the race we got one back from France. We couldn’t believe it came all the way back from France, then last week another came back from Italy,” explained one of the

festival organisers, Vicky Ward.

“Tt was just so exciting that it went to Italy. In fact the man who sent it back found it the day after the race. We were really excited that it went to Scotland two years ago and now this,” she laughed.

However the identity of the person who bought the balloon at the festi- val for €5 – and who stands to win a Smyth’s toyshop voucher, along with a place in the history of Sixmilebri- dge, no doubt – will not be revealed

until the deadline for the return of the balloons on September 1.

“We are leaving it until September | and we will then look at what balloon went furthest and whoever owns it is the winner. If one went to Italy, there might be another,’ said Ms Ward, with optimism.

This was the third balloon race in Sixmilebridge and given the excite- ment of this year’s event, it undoubt- edly will continue to be a significant part of the festival in the future.

A CENTRE that could potentially become a major tourist attraction in Shannon has been a hive of activity during its first fortnight in operation. The Atlantic Air Venture has opened its doors in Smithstown, Shannon, following more than two years of oe-vevenerce

The facility has held aviation sum- mer camps since it opened and is ex- pected to become a haven for tourists over the coming months.

Its current facilities include an aviation education centre and a flight simulator. It is expected to acquire a second flight simulator in October, while plans are also underway for the

construction of a museum on site.

The initiative is the brainchild of Ballycally resident Eddie Ryan, a former aircraft electronics engineer. Project development director Jane McGill said the first couple of weeks have been hugely successful.

“We have something very different and very unusual and will be the start of Shannon’s Aviation Museum,” she Sr NLGE

She said the remit of the centre is set to expand over the coming months, as educational programmes will possibly be set up.

“The feedback has been great. Everybody is very interested in the project. The children have really enjoyed the summer camps, making

models, using flight simulators and learning about meteorology. We are trying to push the sciences and the maths subjects in a really nice way,” said Ms McGill.

“In September we will hook up with schools and transition year pro- grammes. This will including bring- ing young people up to the air traffic control tower and they will have a point of contact that they haven’t had before,” she explained.

“This is the start of something big for Shannon. If we get to where we want in five years, it will be a major tourist attraction,’ she said.

Management will also look at the possibility of hosting children’s par- ties and various social events. “One

of the big things will be to encourage women in aviation. It has been such a man’s world in aviation,” she said.

The summer camps are continuing to take place at the centre, until the end of August.

The camps are open to eight to 12-year-olds from 10am to lpm and those over 12 can enroll for the af- ternoon sessions, from 2pm to 5pm. The cost 1s €75 per person for the (ste) ©