nuacht chláir december 2013

by Asumpta Gallagher

All roads led to Mullingar on Saturday 30th November as

the Green and Gold of Claregalway descended on St Lomans GAA for the Intermediate Ladies encounter against hot favourites Thomas Davis of Dublin in the All Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Final. The atmosphere was all the better because of the large Claregalway support on the day. Claregalway struck first as Michelle Dunleavy scored a good free Thomas Davis took over and dominated possession eventually taking the lead after good scores from both of their midfielders. The turning point came in the twelfth minute when Megan Glynn raided forward from the half back line setting up Charlotte Cooney who was brought down with the goal at her mercy. Thomas Davis were reduced to 14 players as Louise Curran was

sent to the sin-bin and Ciara Newell buried the resultant penalty. Further scores from Deirdre Brennan and frees from Ciara Burke and Michelle Dunleavy left Claregalway with a 2 point lead at half time 1–4 to 0–5. Claregalway started the second half brightly scoring first thanks to a free from the ever reliable Ciara Burke. The Dublin club looked more and more to their senior star, Siobhan McGrath who started to exert more and more of an influence on proceedings setting up a move that lead to Ciara McGuigan putting over a free. Thomas Davis attacked in wave after wave but a combination of poor shooting and fantastic Claregalway defending kept them out. Deirdre Brennan lifted the siege for Claregalway with a well taken point but Siobhan McGrath responded in spectacular fashion with a long range point. The decisive moment of the match

Continued overleaf →

Nuacht Chláir The free community-curated newsletter for Claregalway December 2013 | Vol.18 iss.4

All-Ireland Champions

The Claregalway Ladies, captured the All-Ireland Intermediate Title recently, defeating Thomas Davis on a score of 1–9 to 0–9. Back Row: Eva Gilmore, Ciara Campbell, Helen Moran, Louise Brennan, Orla Murphy, Siofra Leonard, Niamh Fahy, Hannah Coen, Aislinn Newell, Elle Glynn, Ruth Horkan, Siobhan Gavin, Cathryn Casserly, Michelle Dunleavy, Karen Dowd, Eimile Gavin.Front Row: Deirdre Cullina, Emer Joyce, Ciara Newell, Fabienne Cooney, Deirdre Brennan, Charlotte Cooney, Amy Rohan, Tara Hession, Ciara Burke, Orla Dixon, Megan Glynn, Maria Moran.

Try Móna’s Tantalising Festive Treats pages 8–10

2 An nuachtán pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe

→ came with just 11 minutes to play as Deirdre Brennan ran through the heart of the Thomas Davis defence but was fouled by Karen Sweeney Lynch who received her team’s second yellow card as Ciara Burke popped over the resultant free and she followed that with 2 brilliant points from play to send Claregalway 5 points clear with time running out. To their credit Thomas Davis never gave up and scored two late points to leave a goal between the sides but time ran out for them and Claregalway were crowned Tesco Homegrown Intermediate All Ireland Club Champions on a Final score of 1–9 to 0–9. Claregalway Team: Hannah Coen, Fabienne Cooney (Captain), Eimile Gavin, Ellie Glynn, Karen Dowd, Amy Rohan, Megan Glynn, Siobhan Gavin, Orla Dixon, Charlotte Cooney, Ciara Newell (1–0, penalty), Tara Hession, Michelle Dunleavey (0–2, frees), Deirdre Brennan (0–2), Ciara Burke (0–5, 3 from frees), Deirdre Cullina, Louise Brennan, Helen Moran, Maria Moran, Ruth Horkan, Emer Joyce, Orla Murphy, Aislinn Newell, Siofra Leonard, Katryn Casserly, Niamh Fahy, Eva Gilmore, Ciara Campbell, Anna Goldrick, Georgina Healy. There were great scenes of joy and emotion afterwards as Fabienne Cooney was presented with the Cup and Megan Glynn picked up the Player of the Match award. This panel of 30 Girls had trained hard all year and got their deserved reward on Saturday when they became the first Adult team from the Club to bring home an All-Ireland Title.

Thanks to the management of Martin Costelloe, Marty Dowd, Rita Healy, Gerry Moran, Elaine Goldrick and the 30 Girls for bringing so much joy to the Community with their fantastic displays of football all year. Thanks to ladies Club Officers Tim Hynes, Noel Gilmore and Michael Downes who ensured everything was put in place so that the Team fulfilled their potential. Also thanks to Laura, Rebecca, Shauna, Aoife and Ava who acted as water carriers for the Team all year. Finally thanks to Hubert Newell, Paul Nash Transport and the Claregalway Hotel who looked after everyone right from the start to finish of this wonderful journey. On behalf of Claregalway Ladies Gaelic Football we would like to thank all the Club members who travelled to Mullingar to support us in our All-Ireland Final victory on Saturday 30th of November 2013.

The homecoming was brilliant and will remain with us forever, from the Motorway junction to the Claregalway Hotel our way was light up by the many blazing bonfires sparking out through the darkness of the night and seeing all the locals and supporters cheering us home, and of course the Garda escort with sirens blaring added greatly to the occasion. This brilliant homecoming did not just happen, this was organised by the many great Claregalway GAA members who were contacting the Team bus as to our travel arrangements to ensure that the Welcome home was top class, and everyone on the bus were in awe that such a massive effort was made for the Team. For everyone it is great to be part of a great club and thanks very much from all in Claregalway Ladies Gaelic Football.

John Kenny, Padraic Casserly and Tess O’Connell pictured celebrating the Claregalway Ladies homecoming.

Amy Rohan with proud parents Gerry and Michele.

It was fantastic to hear the great support during the game and meet so many emotional and happy people after the final whistle. It was greatly appreciated by the panel of girls and all involved.

www.claregalway.info 3

by Josette Farrell

Welcome to the December issue of Nuacht Chláir—it’s hard to believe we have been in circulation since 1996. We started off as a one page newsletter and gradually increased to where we are today. Our website is near completion and you can log on to Claregalway.info to flick through the archives. Claregalway continues to thrive with local businesses holding their own and local groups working hard at what they do. The Ladies Football team capped a great year for the community. Asumpta’s report (this month’s cover story) attests to their success. We continue to deliver local contributor’s articles which we hope you enjoy reading. Our budding journalist Móna Wise again delivers excellent recipes for us to try out. I’m hoping they taste as great as they look. John Duffy, as always, keeps us up to date with health advice and Ronan Scully inspires us with his words of wisdom every month. We are delighted to hear that Lily-Mae is home for Christmas and we wish her, Jude, Leighton and Evan a very happy Christmas and hope that Santa comes to one and all. We wish you success for complete recovery in the future. Sadness permeated in the area recently on the death of Bruce Catchpole, a young man in his forties leaving behind his wife Linda and children Sam and Laura. He was a very positive, upbeat man and hugely popular in the community. He was taken much too young and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Linda and family and we know that Bruce will be looking out for you all from on high. You can read a very touching story Bruce wrote earlier this year on page 26. We would like to wish you all a very happy, Holy and healthy Christmas. It is a time for family and friends and catching up with one another. Keep in touch with us on our facebook page (facebook.com/claregalway.info) and your comments and views are most welcome. Nollaig shona daoibh go léir agus athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh.

Until next time, Josette.

Let us know what you think of our website www.claregalway.info We are busy updating the archives and developing a comprehensive directory for local businesses.

EditorialYou can submit stories & photos by posting to Nuacht Chláir, ‘Currach Ruadh,’ Creig Buí,Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe.

by emailing [email protected]

by phoning Josette on 086 391 3852 / 091 798 430

via our website www.claregalway.info

or via our facebook pagewww.facebook.com/claregalway.info

The Nuacht Chláir is an open access publication and we try to include everything that’s submitted, subject to the law of the land, and editorial judgement. This judgement is exercised by the volunteer production team in order to preserve balance in the newsletter. The views & opinions expressed in the articles are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those of the production team.

We are always on the lookout for new local contributors. If you would like to share some local news, photos, events or stories, just get in touch. We are also putting the finishing touches to our website www.claregalway.info. Here you can keep up to date with local news and events, read up on some the History of Claregalway, or check out our ever-expanding local business directory. If you have any suggestions for features we should include on the site, let us know. Finally, don’t forget to like our popular facebook page at facebook.com/claregalway.info where we share local news snippets and photos.


Senior Infants from Scoil Bhríde in Lackagh (pictured above) became Santa’s Little Helpers for a day this week when they worked merrily away making special Magical Reindeer Food for all the children of Galway to leave for Rudolph and friends on Christmas Eve! The children, with the help of their parents and teachers, set up production lines to mix, pack and distribute the special blend of ingredients which will give Rudolph, Prancer and Dancer that extra lift when leaving east Galway for their next global destination! Demand is high for this limited edition potion which when sprinkled on the lawn lights the way for the Reindeer to make a safe landing. Packets of Magical Reindeer Food are now available in all local shops in the East Galway Area and cost €2 with all proceeds going to Scoil Bhríde National School Music Fund.

Santa’s Little Helpers Get Sparkly!

MacGillycuddy of the Reeksby Edward Coppinger

Killarney’s hills are grandAnd Lough Leane’s water deep,Beautiful was their Kerry landThe MacGillycuddys of the reeks.

In war graves near ImphalWhere brave men in death sleep,And the bravest of them allWas MacGillycuddy of the reeks.

At Kohima’s savage battlesIn that goddamn awful place,Among artful snipers rattleDied the last man of his race.

Brave too sons of Samurai,That his men fought to repel,With do or die and Banzai cryCharged through shot and shell.

They withheld Jap onslaughts,It was his regiment’s finest stand,To the death each man fought—Stand and die was their command.

Of an ancient Irish lineageIn a foreign land was slain,The fight that was carnage,Under India’s monsoon rain.

He’ll no more see the setting sunSlowly sinking to the West,When the long long day is gone,And darkens the kingdoms crests.

At Kohima a marble stone,Tribute to the fallen pays,Telling when you go home—What in sorrow the obelisk says.

When you go home, tell them of us and say,For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

The author was told the story by a survivor of Kohima, many years ago. The officer was known as MacGillycuddy of the reeks in his unit, and said to be the last male heir of an old Kerry family. Dennis an A/Captain, was decorated twice for Gallantry and Bravery.

Pictured above are Maeve O’Connell, Andrea Trill & Emma Connolly, three members of Cregmore/Claregalway FC Girls Team, who were recently selected to represent Connacht Schools U15 Squad at the recently held School’s Interpros held at the AUl in Dublin. The three girls featured in all three games versus Ulster, Munster & Leinster.


Claregalway N.s. Goes EuropeanOriginally published in the December 2003 Nuacht Chláir

The European Union provides financial support for many programmes in the field of education. One such programme is the Comenius programme, part of which allows schools from at least three participating countries to work together within the regular class activities on one or more topics of mutual interest. Following a Contact Seminar in Turin in November 2002 (attended by Mr. Coen), Claregalway school has now teamed up with three partner schools to work on a project entitled ‘Flowing Together—Water in Life and Fantasy’. The three partner schools are Marienschule, Katolische, Grundschule der Stadt, Bonn, Germany; Szamu Hunyadi Matyas Altalanos Iskols, Miskolc, Hungary and Sibilla Aleramo, Turin, Italy. The project will be integrated into the regular activities of the school and will include all subject areas. It will run for three years subject to annual evaluation. Claregalway is the coordinating school, which means that it will be responsible for most of the planning and organisation of the project. Detailed planning began at a meeting of Principals in Miskolc in November. Some of the classes have already exchanged letters with pupils in Hungary and Turin. All aspects of the project are funded by the EU, through Léargas, the national agency which administers all EU educational programmes in Ireland.

For more archived local news, check out our website www.clarealway.info

Ten Years Ago In ClaregalwaySnippets of local ‘news’ (now history), printed in Nuacht Chláir ten years ago.

The photo above was taken in 2003 outside Claregalway National School. The school has since been extended but still participates in the Comenius programme, established in 2003.

Pictured are local painters, the Brennan Brothers, (Rooaunmore) painting Claregalway N.S. in 1997. For more local photos (recent and archival), check out www.claregalway.info/photos.


Brother Basilby Edward Coppinger

Here I lie under an alien skyFar beyond the Irish sea,Stranger if you pass by my grave,Please say a prayer for me.

I who served the state and God,Now in a grave facing East,Wishing it was on Irish sod—The graveyard at Kilchreest.

You laying with other MonksFrom days long agoWhat were your thoughts before you left—Can we the living know?

Did your past once more appear,And relive and see it all again,Was there guilt, shame or fearOr some awful hidden pain?

You who ask, will find the answersOnly when you are as me—On earth they cannot be found—Only here in eternity.

Question not about my fightOf things I had to do,The hand of fate is the guiding light,For them—for me—for you.

Local Notices

Walking Club meets every Sunday at the Arches Hotel at 10am and on Wednesdays meet at Claregalway Church at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For info contact Edel—085 102 0611.

Timber for sale— 8 × 4 trailor or bags. Phone 086 80 66644.

The Claregalway & District Day Care Centre is now open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am–4pm (limited places on Tuesdays). For more information please drop in, contact 091 739 385, 086 445 8989, or visit our website www.claregalwaydaycarecentre.ie.

Claregalway Parent & Baby/Toddler Group meet every Wednesday from 10am–12 noon at Claregalway Community Centre. All welcome. Contact Yvonne 087 943 7410.

Ultra-Flex School of Dance classes in Disco-Freestyle, Street Dance and Musical theatre every Tuesday in the sMA House Claregalway. Classes range from 3–17 years old. Contact Emma on 085 2388 591 for specific class times or for more information.

For Michael, a latent victim of troubled times, long ago

Edward Coppinger, a native of Lackaghbeg, who is well known for his excellent poetry over many years, has launched a book entitled The Poacher’s Son—Memories of Ireland & other Poems. This month the book became available to purchase for €14 (postage is free). For details email [email protected] or phone 0044 023 8056 1508.


Claregalway Badminton Club meet every Tuesday morning from 10am–11.30am in the Community Centre. All levels welcome. Open to both male & female. Why not come along for a bit of exercise and fun!

Adult Music Classes, subject to demand, are being offered at Lackagh Village Centre on Button Accordion, Tin Whistle, Keyboard, Bodhrán & Céilí Drums from September. For further info please contact Padraig on 086 3166 972.

Claregalway/Carnmore Active Retirement meeting every Friday at 10.30am in Cairdeas. New members are always welcome.

Singing lessons with a fully qualified singing teacher available in Turloughmore. Beginners to professional; children and adults. Traditional, pop, folk and musical theatre included. Practical prep for Junior & Leaving music students. Call Siobhán on 087 852 7760.

Claregalway/Carnmore Senior Citizens Cards and bingo held every Monday night at 8pm in Cairdeas Parish Meeting Room.

Galway Diocesan Directory is available from the Parish Office. Cost €5. The Directory has information on all the Parishes in the Diocese including Mass times and telephone numbers.

Social Dancing Classes take place on Wednesday in Keane’s Oranmore. Beginners at 8–9pm, Improvers 9–10pm. Learn to jive, waltz, foxtrot and quickstep. No partners needed, all ages welcome. Call Padraig at 087 181 2248.

“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!” —Charles Dick

Seasons Greeting from Cllr Nuala Nolan, Galway Co Co, to all the readers of Nuacht Chláir at home and abroad.

8 The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

This story & recipe is by local blogger and author Móna Wise, who regularly contributes to the Nuacht Chláir. For more of her stories & recipes, check out her popular food blog at www.WiseWords.ie.

With only a few weeks left before Christmas, we are in full planning mode here on what to make—or bake—to share with our family and friends this year. Every year, we source and stash interesting glass jars and small tins that make handy gift packaging when the time comes.

Tasty Christmas TreatsExcellent and easy, sweet homemade gifts

The cool thing about re-cycling (or up-cycling) is that many of these tins and jars are returned

(empty) to us in the new year making our collection strong and sturdy for the next season of giving. As much as we enjoy trolling through our favourite recipe books for inspiration, we tend to fall back on our own favourites as they have become requested items over the years. This week, and next, we will share a few recipes that will bring a little bling to your Christmas table and much joy to those on the receiving end if you share them as gifts. The first recipe is for an old family favourite, Peppermint Bark. It does not get any easier than this. The only skills required to make this delicious treat is the ability to melt chocolate. Peppermint bark is one of those edibles that can be quite costly, but making it at home yourself takes only a few minutes, with the hardest part being the length of time you have to wait for it to cool. And trust me, after you taste this, you will find that to be a long and torturous wait. The second recipe (overleaf) is for Toffee Popcorn. This time of year you can buy this by the bag full at many of the shops in town but a homemade batch is the best. The hardest part of making your own toffee popcorn is making the caramel sauce. If this is your first attempt then do so when you have few distractions in the kitchen. Once you have mastered this recipe you will find yourself using it as a ‘go to’ recipe for Christmas, New Years, Easter, and any other reason you can conjure up. Christmas can be a tough time of year for many due to many reasons such as financial worries, separation from loved ones as these days family members and friends are scattered across the globe for work reasons, or worse again, the death of a loved one. We try to make an extra effort during the festive season to bring a bit of cheer to those in need and give back what we can. Please make an effort to do the same in your community.

Móna

by Móna Wise

For more of Móna’s stories and recipes, check out her website at www.WiseWords.ie or facebook page at www.facebook.com/WiseWordsMona or see our posts tagged WiseWords at www.claregalway.info.


Peppermint Bark What you need

450g dark chocolate (Callebaut)450g white chocolate

(with as high a percentage of cocoa butter as possible)4 tspn peppermint essence

(use oil and alcohol based, not water)10 peppermint candy canes

How to prepare itLine a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.In the top of a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate, stirring constantly.Using a rolling pin pound candy canes into small pieces and set aside.Once the dark chocolate has melted, pour it onto the baking sheet and leave it in the coolest part of your house to cool. If you have a marble countertop you can pour it directly onto that to speed things up. Do not refrigerate it tough because a layer of condensation forms making it impossible for the top layer of white chocolate to adhere to it. Once the dark chocolate has cooled, in the top of a double boiler, melt the white chocolate, stirring constantly. Stir in the peppermint oil and any flecks of dust from the crunched up candy canes, reserving the larger pieces as a topping. Remove from heat, and pour the mixture on top of the already cooled dark chocolate; spread evenly. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy cane on top of the white chocolate and leave ten minutes and slice with a butter knife if you want uniform squares, or leave to chill until solid, 25–30 minutes then break into pieces, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. An excellent and very easy Christmas present.


Toffee PopcornWhat you need

1200g of freshly popped popcorn (2 bags of microwave popcorn)400g of sugar in the raw

120ml water6 tbsp butter

120ml of golden syrup (or Maple syrup)¼ tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda1 tbsp water

2 tbsp vanilla extract1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

480g of mixed nuts, toasted and smashed up a little. We like cashews, almonds, pecans, macadamias)

How to prepare itFind the largest mixing bowl (or pot) you have and grease it with some butter. You will be using this to mix the popcorn in later and greasing the bowl (or pot) ensures an easier clean up and all the caramel sticks to the popcorn and not the bowl. Once you have popped the popcorn you can pour the correct amount into the buttered bowl and set it aside until you need it. Take care not to allow any un-popped popcorn into the mix as this can cause problems later when trying to eat the toffee popcorn. Pre-heat the oven to 175°C. In a large heavy bottomed pot cook the sugar, water, syrup and butter to hard crack stage (149°C–145°C on candy thermometer), just before it starts to burn. Do not take your eyes off it because it can go from perfect to burnt in a millisecond. Remove from the heat, add nuts (we like cashews, almonds, pecans, macadamias), vanilla, salt and baking soda and 1 tbsp of water to dissolve it, then pour the hot mix onto the already popped popcorn. Use a plastic spatula to mix it all in (not your hands as this is hot, hot hot!). Put the popcorn mix onto parchment lined baking trays and bake in the oven for a half hour, mixing the mixture to make sure it all gets coated every ten minutes. Remove from oven one tray at a time. Run your hands under the cold tap and then cover with butter. Form into popcorn balls (carefully) and keep your hands cooled and buttered as much as possible to avoid burning yourself. It is not necessary to form the popcorn into balls. You can let it air dry for a half hour and once it has solidified into a hard toffee popcorn you can break it up into pieces and store it in an airtight container for weeks on end. We like to store ours in glass jars and share with friends at Christmas time. We hope you enjoy it too.

Having a candy thermometer on hand for this recipe is nice but not essential. The caramel for the popcorn needs to be cooked to what is called the ‘hard-crack stage’ and this is the highest temperature you are likely to see specified in any sweet making recipe. At these temperatures, there is almost no water left in the syrup. Using a spoon drop a little of the molten syrup in cold water and it will form hard, brittle threads, that break when bent. To avoid burns, allow the syrup to cool in the cold water for a few moments before touching it. Toffee, nut brittles, and lolly pops are all cooked to the hard-crack stage.


Congratulations to Eileen and Declan Gannon, Kiniska on the birth of their beautiful daughter Sarah on the 18th of October, a little sister for Isabelle.

We welcome into our Christian community Kellan Folan, Jack Rea & Finn Ferguson.

Congratulations to Claire Tonery & William Thompson, who were married recently in Claregalway.

Church of the Assumption & St James Christmas Arrangements 2013

Sunday 22nd December Carol Service at 7pm.

Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve Masses—Morning Mass 9.30am, Children’s Mass 6pm, Vigil 8pm.

Wednesday 25th Christmas Morning Masses—9, 10 and 11am.Those who died in the parish during the year will be remembered at all Christmas Masses.

Thursday 26th December–Saturday 28th December Morning Mass at 10am each day.

Sunday 29th December (Feast of the Holy Family)Masses at 7.30pm, 9am and 11am.Those who were married in Claregalway Church during the year will be remembered and a candle lit for each couple at Mass.

Monday 6th January 2014 (Feast of the Epiphany) Masses at 11am and 7.30pm.

Sunday, 12th January 2014 (Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) Masses: 7.30pm (Vigil), 9am and 11am.All the babies who were baptised in the parish during 2013 will be remembered by name and a candle will be lit for each of them at all Masses.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Penitential Service Thursday, 19th December at 7.30pm. Tuesday, 24th December (Christmas Eve) 10am–11.30am.


Bridge ColumnThe Rule of 20

With the hand above (7 high card points) 6 Spades is an unassailable contract. Obviously, with all the cards in a suit, the Grand Slam in that suit is the only rational bid, since you are bound to make all the tricks with that suit nominated as trumps. In other words, 7 HCP can guarantee a small slam and 10 HCP can guarantee a grand slam. Normally, you need 12+ HCP to open the bidding. This is the principle behind the Rule of 20, which is applicable to shapely (unbalanced) hands. Often, the same bidding can be justified using the losing trick count, which will form the subject of another column (in 2014, if I survive). Basically the Rule of 20 says “If the number of HCP in your hand combined with the number of cards in your two longest suits equals or exceeds twenty, then open the bidding.”

Consider the following hand: Dealer South, East/West vulnerable.

Table 1 BiddingN E S W 1H1 P4H2 P P P

1 South has a Rule of 20 opening of 1H (10 HCP + 5 Hearts + 5 Clubs = 20)

2 North raises immediately to 4H, denying E/W the opportunity to enter the fray (4S is cold for E/W).

There is nothing to the play. Say a spade is led. You lose 1 spade, 1 diamond and 1 club. 420 to N/S instead of 620 to E/W.

South 2 A J 10 7 5 6 3 K Q 7 4 2

East A 10 9 8 5 8 6 Q J A 10 8 5

North 6 4 3 K Q 9 3 2 A 7 4 2 6

West K Q J 7 4 K 10 9 8 5 J 9 3

North A Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 3 — —

Local Notices

St Jame’s Choir is now being set up. Practice is on Tuesday nights at 8.15pm in Cairdeas. Singers, musicians and former choir members are invited. No previous experience or levels of musical ability are required to join, just a willingness to join with the group and attend the weekly practice which is about one hour. People must be over 18 years of age. It is always nice a hear a choir at weekend Masses.

Singing lessons have now resumed in Lackagh, Turloughmore Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. Individual & group classes available for adults, teens and children of all levels and experience. Contact Siobhan Duggan on 087 852 7760.

Claregalway Parish is now on Facebook, with up to date news on the Parish. Why not like the page and share it with family and friends at home and especially abroad. 237 likes to date. Let’s aim for 300!

Appeal for leader of Junior Choir— It is hoped to resume the Junior Choir soon. If interested please call the Parish Office on 091 798 741.


Subject to sufficient numbers, Bridge lessons will be offered by the undersigned. Please contact me with ① your contact details and ② times that you are available.Brian Place: 798 857 or [email protected]

Bridge Lessons will be commencing on Friday 10th of January 2014 from9.30am to 10.30am each Friday for 12 weeks in the Claregalway Hotel.Contact: [email protected].

Don’t forget to like our page at www.facebook.com/claregalway.info to keep up-to-date with local news. Also check out www.claregalway.info

Claregalway Study Centre takes place in Coláiste Bhaile Chláir after school. For info contact Josette at 086 391 3852 or 091 798 430.

Check out our new website www.claregalway.info and let us know what you think! We are busy updating the archives, adding new features and building our online directory of local businesses. You can keep up to date with local news and events in Claregalway at www.claregalway.info/news

Claregalway Dental Surgery Welcomes Fergal WalshClaregalway Dental Surgery is delighted to announce that Claregalway native Fergal Walsh is joining our dental team. Fergal graduated from University College Cork in 2008 with an Honours Degree. He then started his career in Shantalla Clinic Galway where he gained valuable experience working with children and young adults. After that he spent a further two years working in a private dental practice in Waterford before heading to Australia in 2011 until December of this year. Fergal performs all aspects of general dentistry with a special emphasis on children’s dentistry and the treatment of nervous patients. Fergal is looking forward to welcoming new patients and continuing to treat long term patients of the Practice.

Claregalway Dental Surgery Christmas Opening Hours

Mon 23rd Dec—9am–5pmTues 24th Dec—9am–1pmMon 30th Dec—9am–1pmTues 31st Dec—9am–1pm

To contact Claregalway Dental Surgery, phone 091 798 333, visit their website www.claregalwaydentalsurgery.ie or like their page on facebook.


2014 Calendar

Do you grow your own ..........?

The Irish Kitchen Garden

calendar is an Irish publication

that features fabulous photos of

Irish gardens, printed and

produced in Ireland.

There are month by

month tips, seasonal

hints, and large date

boxes for notes.

Available in Charlie Byrnes, and Calendar club

shops Eyre Square and Galway shopping centers.

Online for €8.50 (including post & packaging)

www.theirishkitchengarden.comor phone 091-638099 for postal orders


Don’t be Afraid to Cry for Help

Sometimes we think crying is a sign of weakness but crying is a sign that we have a heart and that we care! Also, there is a healing power in crying—the power of being able to release that feeling! When you release it and take the time to come to terms with it, you’re able to move on. But if you keep it bottled up, it comes out in negative feelings. So let yourself cry if you are sad. Let your heart express that feeling. You will be happier when you do, because you are releasing it. It will make room for you to have other feelings that are happy come into your heart, mind and soul. Do not be afraid!

At times during my life, and recently, I have been overwhelmed with sadness and, even though I am a positive person, no thought seems to be able to get me out of that ‘dark place’ at the moment.

When I am in this dark place, I can’t even think straight. And, even though there are plenty of things that I love to do, at that moment nothing seems to be interesting! It’s at moments like

these that ‘it’s oK to cry’. To feel this sadness is oK!

Ronan is a representative for Self Help Africa, a charity who work with African communities to improve their farms.

A cry for help Once, there was an island where all the feelings lived. Happiness, Sadness, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to persevere until the last moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?” Richness answered, “No I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no room.” Love decided to ask Vanity, who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, “Vanity, please help me!” “I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked for help.

“Sadness, let me go with you.” “Oh… Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!” he replied. Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her! Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come Love, I will take you.” It was an elder. Love felt so overjoyed that he forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Love, realising how much he owed the elder, asked Knowledge, another elder,

“Who helped me?”. “It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “Time?” asked Love. “But why did Time help me?” Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”

by Ronan Scully

Thought for the week As your thought for the week, don’t be afraid to cry for help. It will give you more room in your heart to feel better things. It’s just like forgiveness—it frees our own hearts more than those we forgive.


Although policyholders will be notified of their right to hire a Loss Assessor by their insurance company once they are in receipt of a claim—a number of policyholders may not actually realise that they are entitled as a consumer to have a professional represent them with their property insurance claim. By using a regulated Loss Assessor / Claim Consultant, the consumer can be sure that they will achieve the best possible result be it for their home or business. The Insurance company will appoint a Loss Adjuster to represent their interests. Loss Assessors on the other hand work exclusively for the policyholder, acting on their behalf to protect their interest. They basically look after the claim from start to finish and ensure that the policyholder receives their fair entitlement. The Loss Assessor’s function is to examine the policy and it’s terms and conditions in order to establish if a claim is covered under the ‘Insured Perils’ wording of the policy. If the misfortunate event is covered under the policy, the Loss Assessor will offer advice on all matters relating to the property loss and explain in detail the procedure involved. They will evaluate the damage caused, look after all the necessary paperwork including preparing a detailed bill of quantity, estimates, inventory of stock and consequential loss (if and when

applicable). They will then prepare and submit a full claim report and statement of claim to the insurer to ensure the policyholder receives their fair entitlement. In addition, their service includes surveying the damage, notifying the policyholder’s insurance company of the loss, meeting with the insurance company’s loss adjuster to inspect the loss, negotiating with the insurance company’s loss adjuster to obtain the best possible settlement for the policyholder, arranging interim payment, arranging alternative accommodation (if necessary and as appropriate under the policy) and endeavouring to have the claim settled quickly and favourably. While Loss Assessors have been in place for a number of years, the reality is that many of the general public have been unaware of their existence. It is of utmost importance that the Loss Assessors appointed are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and are suitably qualified. DM Claim Consultants are based in Cois Chláir, Claregalway and provide a Confidential Nationwide Service.

For further details phone 091 739 517, 087 67 14 141 or visit dmclaims.ie David Moggan Chartered Surveyor, Dip. Prop. Mang. / Dip. L.A. / MSCSI / MSCS trading as DM Claim Consultants / Loss Assessors are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Property Damage? Help Is At HandIt’s that time of year again with bad weather so definite, some home owners and businesses will have the misfortune of having a burst pipe, storm, lightning, flood damage or chimney fire etc damage their property. This in turn, will in most cases give rise to a property related insurance claim.

by David Moggan, DM Claim Consultants

Schools In Clare Get Growing

GiY announces winning community food-growing projects to be funded by the GIY Get Ireland Growing Fund, in partnership with AiB Seventy-two community based food-growing projects, including voluntary groups, residents associations, schools and hospitals are to benefit from grants of up to €5000 from the GIY (Grow It Yourself) Get Ireland Growing Fund, in partnership with AiB. Following a four month application and evaluation process, GiY announces the winning projects, located in 23 counties. The fund aims to support and encourage the local food-growing movement now evident across the country with grants of €500 for the smallest projects to €5,000 for larger schemes. Developed by GiY, in partnership with AIB’s Add More Green Fund, the Get Ireland Growing Fund will help underpin the finance necessary to sustain food growing projects around Ireland over three years. In Clare, GiY has awarded grants to two schools in the county. Scoil Mhichil, Cahermurphy is a small, two teacher school that is looking to expand the learning experience of the children through practical work with growing vegetables. Marie Egan of Scoil Mhichil said:

“Students of Scoil Mhichil are hard at work in their school vegetable patch. Thanks to the Get Ireland Growing Fund plans are now underway to create a new gardening space which will provide a larger area for the students to get planting next Spring.” Also awarded a grant under the


Galway Parkinsons Singers CD LaunchThe Galway Parkinson’s Association are a voluntary group, who consist of persons with Parkinson’s disease, their spouses, family members and carers. The group is 15 years in existence, during this time our membership has increased significantly and includes all age groups. We meet on a monthly basis (third Wednesday of each month) at The Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit. We endeavour to provide practical support, information seminars, therapeutic classes for our members.

We undertook a Major Fundraising Drive to help provide services for people with Parkinsons in Galway City and County. The services that our members require are Physiotherapy, Speech & Language and Counselling. Due to the current cut backs in the HsE we are able to provide a ten week programme of these services in Galway City and County for our members. These are of huge benefit to those we take part. Their quality of life is very much improved. We work closely with the Neurology Team in UHG who have seen a huge difference in those who have taken part in these classes. Three months ago our speech and language therapist Michelle and thirty of our members decided to make a CD for Christmas. They practised once a week for an hour and a half in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit. This was a huge undertaking for them but they achieved their goal. The members had just finished an eight week course of Speech & Language when they decided on the CD. All the members attended the classes each week. The songs they picked to sing were Joy to the World, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reinder, When a Child is Born, Jingle Bells and Silent Night. They recorded the finished product on the 2nd of November 2013 in the Forge Studio. This is a first for our members and they take such great pride in this CD. Mike Denver kindly offered to sing two songs, White Christmas and Driving Home for Christmas

Continued overleaf →

Pictured are Noel Grealish TD, Caroline Rushe Galway Parkinsons, Marie Cahill gpa and Ollie Turner Galway Bay FM at the CD launch.

scheme is Raheenwood Steiner Ns. Elsewhere in Ireland winning projects include: a community garden in Southill, Limerick fostering local community spirit; a garden in Wicklow providing growing space for people that do not have their own gardens; and schools coming together in an interdenominational school garden in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary. The potential for food growing to create opportunities for recreation, therapy and education is recognised by grant awards to a number of health and wellbeing organisations including the National Rehabilitation Centre, the Irish Wheelchair Association, CoPE Galway, Errigal Truagh Special Needs and Midleton Hospital, Co Cork. Programme Manager for GiY, Ciaran Walsh said: “It is really encouraging to see the level of interest that communities have in providing facilities for people to grow and also learn about the importance of food and its origins. We were particularly struck by the number of applications from schools—school veg gardens have huge potential for impact, involving children, teachers and the wider community.” AiB’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Jennifer Brady said:

“AiB has been working with GiY for the past few years and we are delighted to see the positive impact the Get Ireland Growing Fund has had so far on schools and local community groups all over the country. This fund provides vital support to those who are working towards the development and improvement of their community, and it is inspiring to see first-hand the commitment and passion that goes into this.” For further information, please contact Therese Kennedy, gIY by phone: 051 302191 or email:[email protected]


Old Moore made tonnes of predictions this year for the 2014 edition. But we couldn't fit them all in! So here are some leftovers... too good not to publish!

· A nuclear accident for 2014.· Insurance companies fail worldwide and the insurance paradigm shifts.· Food price inflation stories in the news all year.· Medical marijuana breakthroughs.· The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio will be damaged.· Earthquake on the China/Russia border.· Hillary will be the next American president after Obama. She quietly and slowly starts her campaign in 2014.

· A Chinese company will give Apple and Samsung a run for their money in the mobile phone market.

· In iT, there will be talk of the cloud. Big companies will struggle to compete with smaller companies offering more space on smaller clouds.

· The term big data will be in the news in 2014.

· Wearable smart electronics will be the latest must-have.

· There will be a big controversy about the Eurovision in 2014.· Alec Baldwin shows an interest in entering politics.· An earthquake for the Caribbean.· A satellite crash makes news.· A Bollywood film will have mainstream success in the West.· Cargo ships in the news in 2014.· Paris Jackson gears up to legally take control of her father’s estate.· Panama will be in the news in 2014.

· An Irish fishing vessel will be in the news in 2014.

· Digital camera market tanks, people now use their phones to take photos.· Mood-sensitive home décor comes onto the market.· Smart-paint will come onto the market, containing nano-materials.· Assisted lane-keeping systems in trucks and buses. And, pollution-monitor systems will be built into cars.

· Tourism in Ireland sees a jump in numbers.

on the CD with our members. A huge thank you needs to go to Michelle Tully for all she did to make this dream come true. She had great musical assistance in Aoife Morris on piano and Sr Damien on fiddle. We launched our CD in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit on Monday night to a packed house and there was not a dry eye in the crowd when the choir started to sing. This would not have been possible without the help of the following: Blueprint Express for the wonderful artwork on the CD cover, The Forge Studio for recording, Mike Denver, The Clayton Hotel Ballybrit, and of course the members who turned up every week. Speech & Language therapy is very important for people with Parkinsons Disease. The benefit of the classes that we provide can be seen by the Neurology Department in UHG, Speech & Language Department in NUiG and Shantalla Clinic. By us providing this service we have enabled members to avail of Speech & Language on a regular basis rather than waiting to be seen by the Speech & Language Therapist in the Community. The money raised will go towards providing more Physo and Speech & Language and other classes for people with PD in Galway City and County. This will enable our members to avail of these services without the necessity for waiting for them from the HSE. We depend on the goodwill of the people of Galway City and County who fundraise for us to enable us to be able to provide the services listed above to our members. This CD is a wonderful Christmas present and great value at €5. If you wish to purchase a CD or our Christmas Cards please contact 087 778 3825. If you wish to contact the group you can do so by calling Marie on 087 778 3825 or email [email protected] or via our facebook page.

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir Open DayColáiste Bhaile Chláir would like to extend an invitation to the local community to celebrate the establishment of the school and to celebrate the end of our first term on Friday next 20th December at 11.45am. The Minister of State for Education Mr Ciarán Cannon TD will be in attendance to mark the occasion. There will be a blessing and service followed by music, song and dance followed by some tea and treats. We would encourage all who have played a part in the establishment of our school and members of the local community to join our students, parents and staff to mark the occasion.


Pictured are Cormac Wilde, Julian Flynn of Flynn’s of Lackagh, and Darragh Wilde with the new jerseys Flynns sponsored for Cregmore-Claregalway FC.

The sMA Fathers would like to thank most sincerely all who have supported them throughout 2013and take this opportunity to wish

you all a very Happy Christmas and peace and many blessings

for the New Year.

RE: Claregalway Inner Relief Road

This road remains a priority for the County Council. The project is still in development and will be progressed over the next 6–12 months with a view to having a proposal for planning by the end of 2014. The Council have identified an emerging preferred route and are ready to do site investigation works.

Oranmore Heritage GroupOranmore Heritage was founded as the Old Graveyard Restoration Group in 2000 by interested members of the Oranmore community in order to preserve the Old Graveyard in Oranmore which was under threat of being developed for purposes other than a graveyard. At that time the Graveyard had been closed to new graves for nearly fifty years. It had been neglected and was overgrown and the perimeter walls were breached. The Committee felt strongly that steps needed to be taken to restore and preserve the Graveyard as it is a designated archaeological site and is the last resting place of generations of people from Oranmore and the surrounding areas. The Committee restored the walls, and with assistance from Galway County Council made a path around the Graveyard to make the graves accessible. Various other works were carried throughout the site. At all times during restoration works, steps were taken to ensure that the integrity of the graves was not compromised. Having accomplished access to most of the graves, the Committee decided to carry out a survey and record the inscriptions on the various slabs and monuments as far as possible. In tandem with this, we proceeded to initiate the recording of all the deaths registered in the Ecclesiastical parish of Oranmore between 1864 and 1950 to assist those who may wish to investigate their ancestry. Access to the Register of Deaths was very limited and ultimately completely restricted and therefore the Registry of Deaths information, while as complete as possible, should in specific cases be investigated by individuals at the Registry of Deaths. The result of our work to date is contained on this website and in our publication'Memories in Stone—A Survey of Oranmore Old Graveyard. We hope that this work will be of benefit to those who are interested in tracing their Oranmore roots. Oranmore Heritage group meets regularly in the Meeting Room of Oranmore Library. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us.

Diary Dates for 2014 29th January Greetings from Galway by Paul Duffy26th February The Battle of Aughrim by Luke Nolan26th March Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy, City Engineer, San Francisco—A True Wizard of Water by Walter Raftery

For more information, visit www.oranmoreheritage.org


Telephone / Fax: 091 797 167Mobile: Frank 085 1266 133

Joe 087 629 2350 Email: [email protected]

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Leading Funeral Undertakers

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Local AdvertisementsIf you would like to advertise in the Nuacht Chláir, let us know.Phone 086 391 3852 or email [email protected]

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by John Duffy MpsI

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of the elbow because of tiny injuries causing inflammation of tendons around your elbow. In many people, symptoms improve over time by stopping activities that bring on the symptoms.

thought to be due to an injury, or several tiny injuries, to one or more of these tendons. Injuries are usually caused by overuse of your forearm muscles in repeated actions such as wringing clothes or manual work (particularly with twisting movements such as using a screwdriver). Playing tennis or other racquet sports can also cause tendon injuries. However, despite being called tennis elbow, racquet sports are only thought to be the cause in about 5 in 100 cases. In most people, tennis elbow affects your dominant arm (the arm that you write with).

Who gets tennis elbow?About 5 in 1,000 adults develop tennis elbow each year. It mainly affects people between the ages of 35 and 55. Women and men are affected equally.Tennis elbow is more likely to occur if you have unfit forearm muscles. For example, if you suddenly play a lot of tennis whilst on holiday, or you do a DIY project or some gardening when you are not used to strong forearm actions. However, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint an exact event that started your symptoms. In some people, the condition develops for no

Tennis ElbowJohn Duffy MPsi of Claregalway Pharmacy (091 799 754) has shared this information on tennis elbow. For more information, call in and speak with any member of staff.

Don’t forget to like Claregalway Pharmacy on facebook, for regular updates & competitions!

apparent reason without any prior overuse or injury to their arm.

How is tennis elbow diagnosed?Your doctor can usually diagnose tennis elbow by talking to you about your symptoms and by examining your arms. You will typically experience pain when the doctor examines the outer part of your elbow. Your doctor may also ask you to move your wrist, as this will usually bring on your pain.

What is the prognosis for tennis elbow?If you rest your arm and avoid any activities that bring on your symptoms, your tennis elbow will usually settle over time. Rest and painkillers is all that most people with tennis elbow need. Pain from tennis elbow usually lasts for six to twelve weeks. In some people it can go after as little time as three weeks. However, in other people, pain can last for longer (for between six months to two years). Unfortunately, once you have had tennis elbow, it may return.

Can tennis elbow be prevented?You often cannot avoid a sudden overuse of the arm, which can cause tennis elbow. However, if you increase the strength of your forearm muscles, it may help to prevent a further bout of tennis elbow in the future. The aim is to exercise and strengthen the muscles, but to avoid twisting movements. It is best to see a physiotherapist for advice on how to strengthen your forearm muscles. If your tennis elbow has been brought on by playing some kind of sport, seek advice from a professional coach about your technique, racquet grip size, etc.

Painkillers may help to ease the pain until the condition improves. A steroid injection may also ease pain in the short term. However, the pain often returns. Physiotherapy is another treatment option. Other treatments are sometimes used if symptoms persist.

What is tennis elbow and what are the symptoms?Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of your elbow. The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is because the pain is felt around the area of the lateral epicondyle (the lower, outer, bumpy part of your humerus bone in your upper arm). For most people with tennis elbow, the pain only occurs when they use their forearm and wrist, particularly for twisting movements such as turning a door handle or opening a jar. The pain may travel down your arm from your elbow towards your wrist. You may find it difficult to hold items such as a knife or fork, a cup or a pen, or to straighten your arm fully. Some people also notice a stiffness in the affected arm.

What causes tennis elbow?The site of the pain in tennis elbow is where some tendons from your forearm muscles attach to the bone around your elbow. The pain is


A beekeeper from Waterford city, Mike Hughes, with a lifetime’s beekeeping expertise, who needed

somewhere to put a hive. And a honey lover (i.e. me) who has zero knowledge and plenty of space for a hive. The arrangement is therefore a symbiotic one but (don’t tell Mike) I think I get far more out of it then he does. He shows up occasionally to check in on the bees, and at the end of the season I buy the jars of honey off him, with some basic beekeeping tuition thrown in for free. The noise of their buzzing provides a welcome backdrop as I work in the veg patch and polytunnel, and of course they are great pollinators for flowering plants such as tomatoes in the tunnel and elsewhere in the garden. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimates that of the 100 crop varieties that provide 90% of food worldwide, 71 rely to some extent on bee pollination. So in other words, the unassuming little bee is actually maintaining life on this planet—no bees, no pollination. No pollination, no food. No food, no humans. And make no mistake, bees are under threat: from the gradual disappearance of their natural habitats, the use of pesticides and the parasitic varroa mite which has killed off 30% of bees in Europe (and the entire wild bee population in Ireland). So, experienced beekeepers like Mike, are a valuable commodity indeed. There are roughly 2,500 beekeepers in Ireland according to the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Association. The organisation has 53 local member associations, each of which has its own programmes of lectures and demonstrations trying to encourage more people to get involved. Check out www.irishbeekeeping.ie.

Grow It Yourself December 2013 by Michael Kelly—GIY Ireland

I can’t confess to know a lot about beekeeping. Actually, correct that, I know absolutely nothing about beekeeping. So, one might be surprised to find a beehive in my garden. But there it is nonetheless, nestling happily in a secluded patch between my polytunnel and the hedgerow. The fact that I have a beehive in my garden is the result of a strange confluence of fortuitous events.

HarvestBuck the seasonal trend by continuing to harvest winter salad leaves like corn salad, land cress and mizuna. You should still have at least some produce left in the December veggie patch e.g. winter cabbages, Brussels sprouts, leeks, kale, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, celery, turnips, parsnips, winter cauliflowers, swedes, spinach, chard and celeriac. From your stores you can enjoy pumpkins and squashes, potatoes, onions, apples, beetroot and garlic.

SowIf you haven’t already done so plant garlic—it should be in the soil by the shortest day of the year. Bring herbs like mint, chives, lemon balm, parsley, thyme indoors by lifting and potting them up.

To do in the garden this DecemberAs you clear remaining crops from your veggie patch, dig the beds over and add well rotted compost or manure. Get Educated—book yourself on a course! Start planning what you would like to grow next year and work out what crop rotation system you are going to use. Study seed catalogues carefully before deciding on the best varieties to grow. Start a Compost corner or heap. Keep an eye on your stored veggies and discard anything that’s rotting. Collect and store leaves in bags to make leaf mould or use as cover for bare soil.

© GiY Ireland 2013—all rights reserved.

GIY is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to create a healthier, more sustainable world where people grow their own food. We inspire and support people to grow food more successfully by bringing them together to share advice, tips and ideas. There are approximately 50,000 people involved in the GIY movement in Ireland. For more information check out www.giyireland.com.


Update from Local Councillor Jim Cuddy

Claregalway Sewerage SchemeAll the civil works relating to the phase one of the Claregalway Sewerage Scheme have been completed. The tenders for the Treatment Plant were received by the Council on November 21st. The tenders will now have to assessed before a contractor is appointed and that is not expected until sometime in 2014. The officials could not be more specific with regard to a date. On November 26th the Council had their last meeting with officials from the Department of the Environment (Water Services Department) before responsibility for water and sewerage services are handed over to Irish Water in January. My understanding is that Irish Water, who will be independent of the Department, will assess each request on a cost benefit analysis. That may slow up progress into the future.

Speed LimitsOn November 21st the Minister for Transport published the nationwide report in relation to the speed limits on our country roads. The report contains 12 recommendations. Having read it I feel that it just simply does not address the issue of the country roads with 80KM signs. The only change in relation to the country roads that have the 80KM sign is that the sign will be changed but people will still be able to travel up to 80KM an hour. It will be up to people now to appeal the speed limits to the local authority and if a person is not satisfied with the reply they can then appeal to a review body. We are told the process that is recommended will take five years and cost €8m to bring in. All speed limits will be reviewed in the future each five years. After waiting for six years for this issue to be addressed I feel that what is being proposed is a total waste of time and money. On a more positive note I can tell you

that at the Council meeting on November 26th the Councillors adopted a report in relation to National and Regional Roads. Now By-Laws have to be drawn up and it is expected that they will be before the Council at the January meeting for adoption. After that the changes will come into effect. The Carnmore Road from Galway Airport to the Ballintemple Road will be changed from 60KM to 80KM and from Galway Airport to Carnmore Cross the speed limit will be 50KM. The new speed limits in Claregalway on the approach roads on the N17 and N18 will also come into effect officially. The speed limit through the village will be 50KM.

Cutting of overgrown briars and verges I am in daily contact with the Area Engineer to ensure that the briars and grass verges on country roads around Claregalway are trimmed back. Some roads have already been done but there are still a number of outstanding ones to be done.

Flooding at Parkmore RdOn various occasions the road from the N17 at Killeen Cross up to the Parkmore Estate has flooded and the Council have been asked to deal with the matter. I recently met with the Senior Engineer and he has undertaken to deal with the blockage. In relation to the provision of street lighting from Parkmore Industrial Estate down as far as the Tuam Road at Killeen Cross the Council have said that the electrical wires ducting was done when the road was upgraded a number of years ago and the Council are waiting for finance to become available before they can put in the lights.

As this is the last issue before the Christmas season may I wish you and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas and good health and contentment for the new year.

Jim

Feel free to contact me any day or evening at 798 136 or mobile 087 636 0242 or you can email me at [email protected] When

Speaking In Public?Overcome that fear now!

· Improve your Communication & Leadership Skills—Gain

confidence speaking in public· Learning techniques for

impromptu & prepared speeches

· Enjoy speaking in public in a welcoming club environment

Visit the Corrib Toastmasters Club

· For a supportive and practical way to become a more effective

communicator. · Friendly learning environment

attracting a diverse range of members.

Guests are always especially welcome!

Where: The Maldron Inn Hotel (former Quality Inn), Oranmore.

When: Meetings take place fortnightly on Tuesdays

@ 8:15pm. Further details on www.corribtoastmasters.com

Starting back on the 7th of January 2014

Enquiries to: 087 112 1474

Fear when speaking in Public?

Overcome that fear now! Improve your Communication & Leadership Skills – Gain confidence speaking in public Learning techniques for impromptu & prepared speeches

Enjoy speaking in public in a welcoming club environment

Visit the Corrib Toastmasters Club…. For a supportive and practical way to become a more effective communicator. Friendly learning environment attracting a diverse range of members.

Guests are always especially welcome! Where: The Maldron Inn Hotel (former Quality Inn), Oranmore, Galway. When: Meetings take place fortnightly on Tuesdays

@ 8:15pm. Further details on www.corribtoastmasters.com Starting back on 7th January 2014

Enquiries to: 087 1121474


Essential Local Contacts

Group Contact name Contact number

Carnmore National School John Reilly 091 798 718

Compántas Lir Drama Dermot Hession 085 711 4352

Conradh na Gaeilge Anna Glynn 091 798 351

Claregalway & District Day Care Centre Geraldine Carr 086 227 4139

Claregalway Cemetery Maintenance Malachy Noone 087 133 3711

Claregalway Cemetery Caretaker Seamus O’Connell 087 313 7282

Claregalway Educate Together N.s. Terri Claffey 091 798 356

Claregalway Folk Choir Anne Moylan 087 638 6626

Claregalway National School Carmel Burns 091 798 720

Claregalway Parish Office Teresa Payne 091 798 741

Claregalway Second Level School Paddy Tobin 087 782 5302

9 Arch Musical Society Annette Cavanagh 087 219 7772

Useful Local Websites

www.assumptionandsaintjamesparish.com

www.bawnmorens.ie

www.claregalway.info

www.carnmoreschool.scoilnet.ie

www.claregalwaybasketball.net

www.claregalwaygaa.net

www.claregalwayeducatetogether.blogspot.com

www.claregalwaycastle.com

www.colaistebhailechlair.com

www.compantaslir.ie

www.cregmorens.blog.com

www.facebook.com/claregalway.info

Our Local Sponsors

Arches Hotel, ClaregalwayClaregalway Dental Surgery Claregalway Medical Centre Claregalway PharmacyFlynn’s SuperValu, LackaghFrank Kearney Funeral DirectorsGeraldine O’Neill Glynn Solicitor Glynn’s Centra, CarnmoreHughes SuperValu, ClaregalwayNoel Grealish TD, CarnmorePaul Nash TransportTurloughmore Medical Centre

The Nuacht Chláir is compiled & produced voluntarily each month, as a service to the community. We rely on the generous sponsorship we receive from local businesses to cover printing costs and maintaining our website www.claregalway.info. Please show your support for the Nuacht Chláir, and the businesses & people that help make it possible, by shopping locally whenever possible. If you’d like to become a Sponsor, get in touch.

You can submit stories & photos by posting them to Nuacht Chláir, ‘Currach Ruadh,’ Creig Buí,Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe.

by emailing them to [email protected]

or by phoning Josette 086 391 3852 / 091 798 430

Don’t forget to like our facebook pagewww.facebook.com/claregalway.info

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New Gaelscoil to be Built in OranmoreThe Board of Management of Gaelscoil de hÍde together with Cáirde de hÍde, the Parent’s Association, is pleased to announce details of the new Gaelscoil for Oranmore which is planned to be ready for occupationin September 2014. Both the Board and the parents have relentlessly campaigned for this new facility over a lengthy period stretching back as far as 2008 and are now rewarded with confirmation from the Departmentof Education and Skills that construction work will commence before the end of 2013.

It’s all in the spirit of charity, and last year the group raised €2816.41. Pictured above are last year’s swimmers, which included many of our local children and teenagers, presenting a cheque to Galway Hospice.

Pictured are a hearty group of local swimmers, called Absent Friends, last Christmas Day in Salthill. This Christmas, they will be taking the plunge again and if anyone wants to don their bikini or boardies/speedos we would be delighted to have them dive in with us!

The Pink Bicycle pop-up shop above Flynns in Lackagh is a ladies boutique, open right up until Christmas. They sell dressy casual pieces of clothing... dresses, blazers, tops and cardigans and accessories. Check out their facebook page or pop in for some Christmas shopping. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ThePinkBicycleGalway


My name is Bruce Catchpole. I was born on the 15th of

November 1966. Yes this is the year that our friends across the pond keep reminding the world about winning the World Cup! I’ve been married to Linda for almost ten years. We have what they call a gentleman’s family—a son Sam, aged 8 and a daughter Laura, aged 6. I’m living in a suburb of Galway City since 1973. My family was one of the first blow ins in the area. I’ve recently had to point out to someone born after 1973 who comes from an indigenous family that I’m living in the area longer than them and I’m still called a blow in! It was only when I married Linda (née Grealish—which is one of the biggest local families in the area) in 2002 that I officially lost the blow in status and am now a native! I even have my parish passport now which was presented to me by Linda’s ex-pat American uncle’s at our wedding! I have recently been diagnosed with a grade 4 astrocytoma. This all kicked off on February 23rd—my Father’s anniversary—quite a poignant date to get sick. I went to University College Hospital Galway at high speed in an ambulance (to the disappointment of my inner child they didn’t use the siren or the flashing lights!) after having a mini seizure at

work, initially it was suspected that I had had a stroke or TiA. I had a CT Scan shortly after arriving and the news all went downhill from there. My heart went out to the house officer that gave me the results of the scan as he was clearly uncomfortable and seemed a bit out of his depth. I don’t think he had ever had to give that kind of news before. He said I had a lesion on my brain. I went on the offensive and asked was this an Ms type lesion or something resulting from the seizure. They say Michael Jackson invented the moonwalk, well if he hadn’t this poor chap would have! He disappeared out through the curtain fairly lively. The registrar came in about fifteen minutes later and said it wasn’t a lesion but a Brain Tumour which was about 4cm in size and just inside the bone above my right ear. They had been in contact with Beaumont hospital in Dublin and I would be transferred as soon as they a room available (Beaumont is the top neuroscience hospital in the country). This is when it hit me that I could be in Big Trouble! All my thoughts went to Linda and my kids. My Mother in-law Barbara, her partner Martin and my sisters were there with us. My boss, who had come with me into hospital, was brilliant

and had just taken Linda out to get a drink (non-alcoholic I might add). I looked at them and asked that Linda and the kids be wrapped in cotton wool emotionally and financially. God knows I know the pain of being tight for money. It was funny in the lead up to Christmas last year I was wishing that 2012 would pass quickly, as we have a big chuck of debt finishing in 2013. At least the light was at the end of the tunnel although I didn’t expect it to be a Cancer Train! Niamh, a friend of mine, said to me years ago Man makes plans and God laughs. I though it a profound statement at the time but how true it is! You may wonder why I’m doing this—laying my life open to scrutiny. I have always prided myself on my pragmatism and positive thinking. Now that my Cancer Bombshell has sunk in and I’ve burned up what’s left of my brain thinking about it I have concluded that first and foremost a positive mental attitude is critical when living with Cancer. My hope is that writing this and sharing my Journey might help even one person to develop a PMA (Positive mental attitude) and if this has a good affect on their outcome I will have achieved something from this.

Bruce

R.I.p. Bruce CatchpoleLocal resident Bruch Catchpole sadly passed away on the 9th of December, following a long illness, bravely borne. The following is a story Bruce wrote in March of this year. It was his hope that writing it would inspire people to develop a Positive Mental Attitude.Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis


Nollaig shona daoibh from the Nuacht Chláir Editorial Team

www.claregalway.info


When the Teams arrived in Annaghdown early the Pitch was covered in dense fog but thankfully it had lifted by the 11am throw-in. Claregalway started the better and scored an early goal and point but it was Caherlistrane who finished the half better to lead at the break 3–3 to 1–3. Claregalway got back into the game after halftime and took the lead scoring three goals. In the final ten minutes Chaerlistrane responded and they went five points up with time running out. However the never say die attitude of the Claregalway Girls saw them score two late goals for a one point win. Final score Clare-galway 6–4, Caherlistrane 5–6. Afterwards James Crowe of the County Board presented the cup to winning captain Leah Fleming. This brought an end to a long but very successful season for these Girls as they were all part of the historic double Championship winning U14 teams and they also won the division 4 U16 league during the summer.

The Claregalway U16 Ladies who defeated Caherlistrane by a single point 6–4 to 5–6 to win the County C Championship Final played in Annaghdown on Saturday 23rd of November.

Back Row: Hannah Coady, Niamh Frances, Izzy Moran, Aoife Philips, Sarah Coady, Rebecca Downes, Aisling Murphy, Laura King, Gwen Horkan, Emma Connolly, Leah Flemming (Cpt), Emma Finerran. Front Row: Andrea Trill, Valeria Coleman, Shauna Flaherty, Clodagh Murphy, Maeve Moran, Ava Fitzmaurice, Orla O’Gorman, Andrea Glynn, Aoife Gavin, Katie Moran, Emma Coakley.

Claregalway gaa Club UpdatesClaregalway U16s played Caherlistrane in C Championship Final on the 23rd of November.


For more photos, check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/claregalway.info or see www.claregalway.info

Pictured above are Derek Tracy (Juve-nile Football Secretary), John Kilmartin (U14 Boys Manager), Kevin Kilgannon (U14 Selector) receiving the Club of the Year Award from Mrs Callahan (Sponsor), Larry Lohan (Coiste Peil nÓg), Peadar Dolan (Claregalway Football Executive Chairperson), John Morrin (Juvenile Football Chairperson), and PJ Rabbitte (Coiste Peil nÓg).

Pictured above are Derek Tracy (Juve-nile Football Secretary), Peadar Dolan (Executive Chairperson), John Morrin (Juvenile Football Chairperson), John Kilmartin (U14 Manager) and Kevin Kilgannon (U14 Selector).

C orribboxing Club recently achieved one of the biggest

wins the country has seen this year with Claregalway native Liane Martyn and Dave Shortt both claiming Five Nations Kickboxing Titles. Shortt made short work of his opponent Sean Parkin (Scottish champion), and Kod him in first round with a spinning back kick followed by a straight left hand. While Liane Martyn from Claregalway’s fight went the full

Claregalway Native Claims Five Nations Kickboxing Title

five rounds, Martyn counted her opponent Anne Reilly from Dundee in the first round and really hurt her in the coming rounds. Both girls went to war but Martyn being the stronger and connecting with the cleaner shots was crowned Five Nations Cham-pion. This is a huge achievement for Corribboxing Club, which has only been open two years. We can expect more great news in the future!


Claregalway Foot Therapy Clinic

Foot health care is a field of medicine that aims to improve the overall health and well being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with the foot. During your lifetime, your feet may walk the equivalent of four times around the world. Healthy feet play a huge role in our quality of life. Regular foot care can help achieve this.

Problems treated: corns, callus, ingrown toenail, fungal infection, verruca, skin fissures, management of the diabetic foot, vascular assessments, reflexology.

Cindy Duggan

086 063 [email protected]

Find us on facebook @Claregalway Foottherapyclinic

Cloon, Claregalway

Across1 Array of symbols (6)5 Grass cutting tool (6)10 To do with the head (7)11 Book of psalms (7)12 Former Italian currency (4)13 Make noise while asleep (5)15 De nada (4)17 Opposite of flow (3)19 Naval fleet (6)21 Residences (6)22 Similarity between two things (7)23 3 celestial bodies in a straight line (6)25 Combination products of acids and alcohols (6)28 Request (3)30 Actual (4)31 Hungarian wine region (5)32 Young salmon (4)35 Studied hard (7)36 Type of pasta (7)37 Climb (6)38 Reabsorb (6)

Down2 Word made by letter rearrangement (7)3 Launch an attack (4)4 Dimethyl benzene (6)5 Extraordinarily good (6)6 Duration of Earth’s orbit (4)7 Pesron easily angered (7)8 Charybdis’s partner (6)9 Language used by particular group (6)14 Needle like structure (7)16 Well known saying (5)18 Immeasurably deep hole (5)20 One or another (3)21 Duration of life (3)23 Pressure (6)24 Keen (7)26 One who enables (7)27 Capital is Belgrade (6)28 Ammotragus lervia (6)29 S. African Bantu-speaking person (6)33 Hordeolum (4)34 Snakes (4)

December Crossword

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Across 1 Midpoint (6) 5 Central (6) 10 Dais (7) 11 Enlist (7) 12 Test (4) 13 Alphabetical list (5) 15 Dutch cheese (4) 17 Organ (3) 19 Japanese car maker (6) 21 Forcefulness (6) 22 Astonishing (7) 23 Abscond (6) 25 Unravel the enigma (6) 28 Writing instrument (3) 30 Mammal of genus Capra (4) 31 Foot operated lever (5) 32 Type of fastener (4) 35 Joyfulness (7) 36 Small appliance (7) 37 Capital of Lebanon (6) 38 Lives (6)

Down 2 State of exalted delight (7) 3 Pneumatic car part (4) 4 Stoat's coat (6) 5 Kill (6) 6 Aquatic bird of Anatidae family (4) 7 Wash (7) 8 Passionate (6) 9 Stubby (6) 14 Temporarily blinded (7) 16 Walk noisily (5) 18 Rage (5) 20 Measure of current (3) 21 Finish (3) 23 Stabbing knife (6) 24 Travesty (7) 26 Ground oats (7) 27 Most senior (6) 28 Groundnut (6) 29 Constantly scolded (6) 33 Structure built over water (4) 34 Rim (4)

Post completed Crosswords to: B.D. Place, Woodleigh, Creig Buí, Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe.

1st correct Crossword opened winsA meal for 2 in the Arches Hotel, Cois Chláir, Claregalway.

Last month’s winner:Rita Gately, Cregboy.

Name

Phone

Brian Place—Crossword Editor

P1

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A C3

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D D6

L E7

D

F8

A A C D R X Z9

I10

N D U L G E R11

O U G H L Y

B L L N O G O G

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N I T B13

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I N T15

R I O

L N C16

S17

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T T

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A N D S A W

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M P A R T R38

U N W A Y

Last month’s solution

Supermarket Opening Hours

Monday–Saturday: 8am–9pmSunday & Bank Hols: 9am–7pm

Tel: 091 798 138

Post Office Opening Hours

Monday–Friday: 9am–5:30pmSaturday: 9am–1pm

Tel: 091 798 101

Keep an eye on our facebook page for weekly specials & more!

We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year

from all the Hughes Management & Staff

Ideal Gifts for Christmas

Gift HampersChoose from ready made

Hampers or create your ownGift Vouchers also available

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 9pm Sun & Bank Hols: 9am – 7pm Tel: 091 798138

Post Office Opening Hours: 9am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri 9am – 1.00pm Saturday

Ideal Gift for everyone this Christmas

Gift Hampers Choose from Ready Made

Hampers Or create your own

Gift Vouchers available also

We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year. From all The Hughes Management & Staff

Keep an on our Facebook page for Weekly Specials Competitions & Much More…

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 9pm Sun & Bank Hols: 9am – 7pm Tel: 091 798138 Post Office Opening Hours: 9am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri 9am – 1.00pm Saturday

Ideal Gift for everyone this Christmas Gift Hampers Choose from Ready Made Hampers Or create your own Gift Vouchers available also

We would like to wish all our customers a

Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year.

From all The Hughes Management & Staff

Keep an on our Facebook page for Weekly Specials Competitions &

Much More…

Perfect Stocking

FillerPick One Up Instore

Don’t forget to visit

nuacht chláir december 2013

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