Boy seriously injured following Lissycasey RTA

A young boy has been seriously injured after he was struck by a car in Lissycasey.

The incident happened near Fanny O Dea's pub shortly before 5pm this evening, breakingnews.ie reports. It is understood the young boy got off a private coach and was running across the road when he was struck.

He was rushed to Limerick Regional Hospital.

Strike action averted at Shannon Airport

Aer Lingus and Ireland's largest union reached a tentative labor deal Thursday that removes the threat of an imminent strike from the loss-making airline.

The Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union, known as SIPTU, had said its members would begin withdrawing from work Monday if the airline proceeded with plans to lay off unionized staff in favor of outsourced, nonunion workers — including new cabin crews recruited in the United States, reports the Associated Press.

The airline is still in negotiations with another union, Impact, which represents pilots and flight attendants. That union opposes management plans to close cabin-crew bases at London's Heathrow Airport and at Shannon Airport, as well as the idea of hiring American-based cabin crew to staff Aer Lingus' trans-Atlantic services.

RTE to dramatise O'Brien novel

Ireland's main public broadcaster, RTÉ Television, has commissioned a feature-length drama based on the 1999 novel Wild Decembers, written by Tuamgraney native Edna O'Brien.

Set in contemporary County Clare, the 90-minute drama tells the story of a man who inherits his uncle's dilapidated mountainside farm, re-igniting a centuries-old feud with his neighbour. Owen McDonnell (Single Handed, Conspiracy of Silence), Matt Ryan (Collision, The Tudors) and Lara Belmont (The War Zone, Henry VIII) are starring, alongside Sean McGinley, Hugh O'Connor, Jane Brennan and Pauline Cadell.

Touchpaper Television is coproducing alongside Octagon films. Anthony Byrne (Single Handed, How About You) is directing.

Compensation awarded to Meelick man

An apprentice plasterer from South East Clare has been awarded a 3 million euro High Court Settlement for brain damage and other injuries he suffered 12 years ago, Clare FM News reports.

28 year old Alan Flanagan from Monaglengee, Meelick was just 16 when the serious accident occurred on a building site in Limerick in December of 1996. The high court action was brought through Alan Flanagan's aunt Mary Kiely against PJ Hegarty and Sons from Cork who were alleged to have been the main building contractors involved in the building works on the Dock Road in Limerick in December of 1996.

The court was told that Mr Flanagan was mounting scaffolding when the accident occurred. The young Meelick man fell the considerable distance of 63 feet, sustaining serious personal injuries, and the court was told of concerns for how Mr Flanagan's Aunt and family will mange to care for him in future - his parents are deceased.

Mr Justice Quirke approved the recommended settlement offer of 3 million euro on hearing the family were satisfied with it, though he said the system was regrettably deficient in dealing with such matters.

Dooley throws dictators jibe at anti-Lisbon activisits

Anti-Lisbon activist group Coir were heckled by Clare Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley in Dail Eireann last evening.

Coir's Richard Greene and Niamh Ui Bhroinn had just finished delivering their speech to the cross-party talking-shop on how to solve the Lisbon dilemma.

"You are dictators!" yelled Mounshannon TD Timmy Dooley. According to the Irish Independent, for a moment it looked as if a punch would be thrown at the Clare TD by one of Coir's enraged entourage as they departed.

Coir's Richard Greene had previously launched a tirade against the Oireachtas committee members, ranting about their "brazen effrontery and blatant denial of democracy" and warning that "suppressing the sovereign will of the people in such a fashion would be an act of treason, the likes of which has not been seen since the Act of Union".

EUR16k For Three Clare Voluntary Organisations

Three County Clare voluntary organisations have received funding allocations under the Government’s Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs announced that it has allocated EUR3170, EUR3766 and EUR9207 to Inagh Development Ltd, Kilmaley District Daycare Centre and the Kilkee-based Shannonside Carers Group respectively.

During the last twelve months numerous other local groups have benefited from funding under the under the scheme of Community Supports for Older People, including Ballynacally Community Alert, Meelick Parteen Coonagh Senior Citizens, Caring for Carers Clare, Kilrush Family Resource Centre Ltd and Cratloe Community Council.

Funding Boost For North Clare Amenity Park And Pavilion

The North Clare Amenity Park and Pavilion in Lisdoonvarna has been allocated EUR42k under the Government’s Community Services Programme.

The North Clare community facility was the only Clare recipient of funds out of a national allocation of EUR2.4m, announced today by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. The Lisdoonvarna Fáilte project features a large community crèche, multi-purpose Pavilion Hall, playground, and community sports field and athletics track. Development work on a looped walk around 30 acres of parkland in the North Clare town is also ongoing.

According to Joe Garrihy, Chairperson of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte, “This funding allocation will help meet the operational and management aspects of the new facilities.” He stated, “The entire project has been hugely successful and has brought a new lease of life to the local community and will hopefully present a central social outlet for the people of this part of North Clare”

“The delivery of this large project would not have not have been possible without Capital funding from Government of EUR2.6m, supplemented by local fundraising efforts and commitments from the Rooska and Spa Wells trustees”, Mr. Garrihy added. Commenting on the finding announcement, Minister of State and North Clare T.D., Tony Killeen said, “"These necessary funds importantly recognise the voluntary efforts of local community groups throughout Ireland.” The local T.D. praised the work of the Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Project in contributing to the rejuvenation of the town.

He continued, ‘Were it not for the commitment of the Project team the funding allocation of EUR1.27m made a number of years ago by the then Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Síle De Valera would not have been secured. I was delighted to support the local committee, when delays in drawing down the funding almost resulted in a loss of this significant grant aid.’ Minister Killeen added that the Community Services Programme had greatly benefited numerous organisations across County Clare.

"In recent years, over 60 people have been employed in twelve separate local projects. The projects funded by the Programme to date include Raidio Corca Baiscinn, Obair Environment Services Ltd, Obair Newmarket-on-Fergus Ltd, North Clare Amenity Park and Pavilion, Ennistymon FRC, Kilrush Family Resource Centre, Burren Display Centre Ltd in Kilfenora, the Capparoe-based Irish Seed Saver Association Ltd, Obair Childcare Services Ltd, Shannon Social Economy Maintenance Services Ltd, Vandeleur Walled Garden Enterprises Ltd in Kilrush, and Clare Accessible Transport," he said. Minister Killeen continued, "The Community Services Programme aims to support local community activity, to address disadvantage and provide local employment opportunities for certain groups of people. In order to qualify for funding under the Community Service Programme, organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis. They must also recruit unemployed people to work in the project."

The Community Services Programme is managed by Pobal, on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

4 Long Service Awards Presented To Clare County Fire Rescue Service

Four Clare County Fire Rescue Service personnel were today honoured at the sixth National Long Service Awards ceremony, held at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin.

20-year service awards were presented to Joe Moloney (retired Sub Officer), David Culloo (Sub Officer) and Martin Tuohy (Station Officer) of Scarriff Fire Brigade. Meanwhile, Kilrush Station Officer Martin Cahill received a Long Service Award for 30 years of service to Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.

Congratulating the recipients, Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen said: “The awards are a gesture of the appreciation of the people of Clare for the magnificent work these fire service personnel have done throughout their careers, which has helped all of us feel safer in our homes. Significantly, the ceremony is also the State’s way of expressing its gratitude for the huge contribution they have made towards the security of its citizens.” “The commitment and professionalism of these long serving fire fighters is indicative of the highly experienced personnel employed by Clare County Fire and Rescue Service”: added the Clare T.D. who is a former Minister of State, with special responsibility for the fire service.

Minister Killeen also praised the Fire Services Council, which hosts the awards ceremony each year. “The Council, through its central training programme, continues to provide command and control training for all officer ranks and specialist training in responding to road traffic accidents, hazardous materials incidents and command and control for ship fire-fighting while in port. The Council also provides appropriate courses in fire safety engineering for suitably qualified fire service personnel. This suite of training courses supplements the training provided locally within fire authorities”: he stated.

Investigation into co-pilot's 'breakdown' at 35,000 ft

A flight attendant helped land a jet carrying 146 passengers after the co-pilot had an apparent mental breakdown over the Atlantic Ocean, investigators revealed today.

The UK-bound plane made an emergency diversion to Shannon Airport last January after the Air Canada flight officer began a “rambling and disjointed” conversation, said an official report.

Another attendant suffered wrist injuries as the crew forcibly removed the co-pilot from the cockpit controls and restrained him in a seat in the cabin. According to rbeakingnews.ie, the captain of the Boeing 767 from Toronto to Heathrow asked staff to seek out any trained pilots onboard. One of the female cabin crew came forward saying she had a commercial pilot’s licence and was asked to take over in the co-pilot’s seat.

The captain praised the attendant to investigators for helping him safely land the plane at Shannon, where the ill flight officer was removed and admitted to the acute psychiatric unit of Ennis Regional Hospital for 11 days.

Ryanair threaten to close Fuerteventura to Shannon link

Ryanair has threatened to close down its Shannon service to Fuertaventura - a massive holiday and golfing resort in the Canary Islands, unless local tourism group AIE honors the commercial agreement it entered into with Ryanair to promote the area as a tourist destination.

Since Ryanair began flying to Fuerteventura in 2006, annual passenger numbers have increased over one hundred fold from just 2,000 to over 250,000, the no-frills airline told Businessworld.ie. "However, because of the AIE's breach of its agreement with Ryanair one of its Dublin flights to Fuerteventura was cancelled from November 6. Ryanair has now confirmed that it will close its 9 international routes to/from Fuerteventura from January 31 unless the AIE honours its contractual commitments with Ryanair," it warned.

Ryanair will close all services to/from Fuerteventura including Birmingham, Bremen, Dublin, Dusseldorf (Weeze), East Midlands, Frankfurt, Liverpool, London and Shannon, it said.

Irish Heart Foundation recognition for Ennistymon school

A North Clare School is the first in the county to achieve Irish Heart Foundation recognition for their efforts to save lives due to cardiac arrest.

Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon earned the award on completion of a CPR programme to reduce the number of deaths from heart attacks, Clare FM news reports.

The Irish Heart Foundation has urged schools around the country to score points for heart safety by signing up to the Heartsafe programme.

IRB anniversary celebrated at UL

The 150th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was celebrated at the Kemmy Business School in the University of Limerick last evening.

The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic Republic" in the mid nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its counterpart in the United States of America was organized by John O'Mahony and became known as the Fenian Brotherhood (later Clan na Gael).The members of both wings of the movement are often referred to as "Fenians".

The IRB is of significance both in a Limerick context and a UL context because the man who organised the formation meeting of the IRB on St. Patrick’s Day 1858 in New York was John O’Mahony whose memory is perpetuated in the O’Mahony GAA Park in his native Anglesborough. Also involved were Michael Doheny of Fethard and Cashel, Co. Tipperary, and James Stephens from Kilkenny who became the ultimate leader of the IRB and Fenian Movement in Ireland.

James Stephens’ name is also perpetuated in Kilkenny Hurling Club which was represented at the commemoration by one of the most successful trainers of All-Ireland Winning Teams, Brian Cody, who delivered the main lecture. The event was also attended by members of Galtee Gaels GAA Club from Anglesborough/Kilbeheny, the Secretary of the Munster Council Pat Fitzgerald, and historians and academics from throughout Ireland.

The Opening Address was delivered by Councillor Francis Foley, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council. "The IRB typified the determination and will of generations of Irish men and women and today it is heartening to see that it continues to inspire the imagination and national pride of Irish people, as well as historians, students of history and countless others throughout the world", stated Cllr. Foley.

Drop in cost of rented accommodation

Renting accommodation is becoming increasingly cheaper in County Clare.

New figures from Daft.ie show the cost of rental accommodation here has fallen by nearly 3 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2008.

The average rent in Clare now stands at 695 euro, reports Clare FM News.

Killeen Congratulates County Clare’s Water Safety Volunteers

Minister of State and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen has congratulated the ten water safety officers and volunteers from County Clare who were today honoured at Irish Water Safety’s [IWS] annual awards ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Long service awards were presented to local men and women for service ranging from 10 to 30 years.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “Cumulatively, the work of these 10 water safety volunteers and officers represent some 190 years of service to water safety. It is impossible to know how many lives were saved directly by the valiant work encompassed within these years of noble service. The service given by each of these people is exceptional and they deserve this special recognition.” Minister Killeen paid tribute to Irish Water Safety (IWS) and to their many volunteers throughout County Clare for their important role in promoting water safety.

"I would like to commend IWS on the effectiveness of their educational and practical lifesaving skills programmes. There are a lot more people participating in swimming and water sports generally now as a result, therefore contributing to an increased awareness of water safety issues”; he added. "Drowning is a needless tragedy. Awareness of the dangers presented by water allied to the ability to swim and life save are the critical factors in preventing drowning. Clare’s local volunteers have for many years provided valuable assistance to Irish Water Safety in their work of promoting vital safety messages”: the Minister concluded.

10 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Mary Bolton
Kathleen McMahon

15 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Patricia Butler
Geraldine Cleary
Elaine Ensko
Geraldine Treacy

20 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Clare McGrath

30 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Monica Doyle
Brendan McGrath
Margaret Talty

New Agreement has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Ireland

In Washington D.C today, the Minister for Transport Mr Noel Dempsey T.D. and the US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff signed a major Inter-Governmental Agreement. This will provide for pre-clearance for scheduled and charter commercial airline flights to the US from Shannon and Dublin airports. It will also allow pre-clearance for private aircraft flights to the U.S from Shannon airport.

Speaking in Washington today at the signing ceremony; Minister Dempsey said; “This Inter-Governmental Agreement with the United States will have major benefits for Ireland. The potential of Ireland to grow trans-atlantic services from its airports is now very significant. In the current difficult economic conditions trans-atlantic business is more important than ever for Ireland.”

Minister Dempsey added; “Passengers from Shannon and Dublin airports will benefit from uninterrupted passage through US airports on arrival, saving time and hassle.

Trans-atlantic airlines will benefit from being able to fly into less congested and less expensive domestic terminals on arrival at U.S airports. This should lead to easier access to aircraft stands thereby minimising the time between touchdown and passengers disembarking. In the competitive field of aviation, time means money for airline operators. This Agreement will help operators save valuable time.”

Minister Dempsey added; “Later this week I will meet with some trans Atlantic airline operators here in the US to explain the benefits of operating out of Irish airports now that this Agreement is in place.”

Kilrush Blooms At The Community Environmental Awards 2008

Mayor of Clare Madeline Taylor Quinn is pictured presenting the prize for overall winner of Clare In Bloom 2008 to Murt Collins of Kilrush Tidy Towns Group at Aras Chontae an Chlair, Ennis on Monday, 17 November 2008.

Communities across the County were honoured at the 2008 Community Environmental Awards ceremony which was held at Aras Chontae an Chlair, Ennis last night.

Awards were presented for a range of competitions that included Clare In Bloom, Best Public Seat and Co-operation Ireland's Pride of Place. Kilrush was named overall winner of the 2008 ‘Clare In Bloom’ competition. Scoring highly in landscaping and the range of planting, colour, litter control and waste prevention, the people of Kilrush and the Kilrush Tidy Towns Group were overwhelmed with achieving the top prize.

The “Clare in Bloom” competition is a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their towns and villages by means of flower, tree and shrub planting. This year’s competition attracted marks towards waste prevention, maintaining bring banks and energy initiatives. Judging takes place from mid July to mid August, considers such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter. Categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category of €1100, €550 €300 respectively.

Mayor of Clare Cllr. Madeline Taylor-Quinn last night announced Kilrush as the overall award winner of 2008 ‘Clare In Bloom’ competition for achieving the highest marks in the competition and presented them with a cheque of €1500. Category 1 was won by Kildysart Tidy Towns Committee, who finished ahead of Quin Development Association (2nd) and Shannon Tidy Towns (3rd). Ballynacally Development Association was named the winner of Category 2, with Tuamgraney Development Association and Kilmihil Community Development Association achieving second and third places, respectively. Category 3 was won by Labasheeda Community Pride with Ballyvaughan Tidy Towns in second and Bridgetown Tidy Towns in third. A Special Endeavour Award went to Knock for the huge community effort demonstrated by the overall appearance of the village and great use of colour in this West Clare village. The Cathaoirleach’s Environmental Award, as well as a cheque for €1000 was presented to St Marys Community Development Lissycasey.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Madeline Taylor-Quinn acknowledged that Lissycasey, as the main thoroughfare to West Clare, presented itself in a very positive manner with a blaze of colour and very generous use of planting and landscaping.

The Best Public Seat Award acknowledges communities for tasteful public seats that encourage people to take a few moments repose in pleasant surrounding. Ballyea scooped first prize for a third year in a row with Ballynacally second and Knock third. The Pride of Place competition is an annual competition, which is run with Co-Operation Ireland in conjunction with Local Authorities north and south of the border. Clare County Council and Co-Operation Ireland honoured the local contribution that Tuamgraney Development Association, The Burren Centre, Kilfenora, West Clare Resource Centre, Miltown Malbay, OBAIR Newmarket on Fergus, and Gleann an Oir Residents Association Shannon have made.

Addressing the gathered guests and award winners at the ceremony, Tom Dowling, Meath County Manager and Chairperson Pride of Place competition said: “It is important to recognise the communities who participated in the Pride of Place Awards during 2008. I think it is fitting that we are acknowledging their valuable contribution at this awards ceremony tonight”. Addressing those in attendance at last night’s awards ceremony, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Madeline Taylor-Quinn said, “It is heart warming to see the excitement and pride in this hall tonight. I would like to congratulate all those honoured at this ceremony. You have put in a huge effort throughout the year to enhance your towns and villages. Please keep on doing what you’re doing. You are a tremendous asset to County Clare”.

According to Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Chairperson of the Environment, Emergency Services and Consumer Protection Strategic Policy Committee: “Community groups the length and breadth of Clare are doing excellent work to improve the environment around us. I would encourage more groups to get involved with the Tidy Towns competition, in which we have been performing exceptionally well in during recent years. Information on how to register for the national competition is available from the Environment Section of Clare County Council.”

Betty Devanny, Administrative Officer with Clare County Council acknowledged the generous contributions received from the sponsors of the awards. “I would like to thank ESB Moneypoint, Roche Ireland and Shannon Development whose continuing support enables Clare County Council to award prizes worthy of the effort shown by applicants”: Ms. Devanny stated.
Mayor of Clare Madeline Taylor Quinn is pictured presenting the Mayor's Award to Maura Griffin of St Marys, Lissycasey at Aras Chontae an Chlair, Ennis on Monday, 17 November 2008

Clare Tourism Sector Unites To Combat Economic Downturn

‘Welcome to County Clare’ captured by John Power

Finding a solution to the sharp drop in visitor numbers to County Clare was discussed by over 150 tourism providers at a major event in Ennis last evening.

The Clare Tourism Forum described the event as an opportunity for the sector to refocus its marketing strategy in light of the global economic downturn.

The first Clare tourism brochure to be produced in more than a decade was launched at the event, which also featured the launch of the Clare Live the Life 2009/2010 calendar and the presentation of prizes to winners of the ‘Shoot the Mood of Clare’ competition.

“The challenges facing the local tourism sector are significantly different from what they were when the Clare Tourism Forum was established three years ago”: explained Forum Chairperson Richard Nagle. He added: “The continued weakening of the British Pound and the US Dollar coupled with the strengthening of the Euro is the leading contributing factor to the sharp drop in overseas visitors to County Clare. The decline has been exacerbated by the slowdown in economic growth in Ireland and the main source markets, as well as the emergence of cheaper holiday destinations.”

According to the Central Statistics Office there was an 11% drop in North American visitor numbers in August, a 7% decline from mainland European countries and a drop of 1% on British numbers. The Shannon region was one of the worst affected areas of the country, where 81% of accommodation outlets reported a drop in business. “The only sector that showed any growth was the domestic tourist market, which remains an integral part of the Clare Tourism Forum’s overall marketing strategy. As one unit, the members of the Clare Tourism Forum have been able to pool their resources into establishing Clare as the preferred tourist destination in lreland. The Forum has worked hard to develop a marketable brand that will reap benefits for everyone concerned”: Cllr. Nagle commented.

Maureen Cleary, Marketing Executive for the Clare Tourism Forum expressed confidence that the collaborative strategy being adopted by Forum members to sustaining and developing tourism within the county would help reverse the decline in visitor numbers. She continued: “The Clare Tourism Forum is committed to reinforcing the county’s status as a domestic and international tourist destination alike. This commitment is underlined by the production of the first County Clare tourism brochure in over ten years. We are confident that members of the tourism industry and wider business community in Clare will embrace and support the marketing drive dedicated to our County.”

Commenting on last evening’s event, Ms. Cleary said: “It was encouraging to see all sectors of the local tourism industry represented, including accommodation providers, Vintners and the main tourism bodies. There is a very real commitment among all tourism agencies and operators to participate in a unified approach to addressing common issues facing the sector. I am confident that the Forum’s strategic and collaborative approach will result in a sustained increase in visitor numbers to Clare in 2009.” The new Clare Live the Life Brochure, which was launched by Councillor Richard Nagle, contains a rich variety of stunning pictures from around the County and a flavour of what Clare has to offer potential visitors. The calendar was launched by forum member Paul Madden of the Templegate Hotel in Ennis, while Mayor of Clare Councillor Taylor Madeleine Taylor Quinn announced the winners of the ‘Shoot the Mood of Clare’ photography competition.

Last evening’s event also afforded those in attendance an opportunity to sample local produce from such providers as The Burren Smokehouse, Cratloe Hill Sheep Cheeses and Kelly’s Butchers. Entertainment was provided by local Irish traditional musicians. Meanwhile, the event will be featured by RTE Nationwide early in the New Year.

The Clare Tourism Forum was established in November 2005 with the objective of mobilising a collaborative strategy to sustain and develop tourism within the county. Its membership includes representatives of the principle agencies involved in tourism promotion in Clare in partnership with representatives of the hotel, vintners, tourism retail and B+B sectors as well as the main local tourism attractions. For more on the Clare Tourism Forum see www.clare.ie, telephone 065-6846462 or email mcleary@clarecoco.ie.

Pictured at the launch of the new Clare tourism brochure at the Templegate Hotel in Ennis on Monday 17 November 2008 (L-R) Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn; Cllr. Richard Nagle, Chairperson, Clare Tourism Forum; and Maureen Cleary, Marketing Executive, Clare Tourism Forum

Ennis firm signs major contract

Ennis weather-forecasting tech firm Nowcasting has signed a €300,000 deal to provide Canadian global energy giant NEXEN with high-resolution weather, meteorological and oceanographic data for its North Sea outposts, according to the award winning tech website Silicon Republic.

Nowcasting is headquartered in Ennis with offices in Aberdeen and Houston, Texas, and is an established leader in supporting offshore operators with their meteorological and oceanographic forecasting needs.

The company has been working in the North Sea for nine years and currently has operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Mediterranean, West Africa and Sakhalin Island.

“We have been steadily building a solid reputation in the North Sea, so it is great for our industry credibility that companies of this scale are placing their forecasting requirements in our hands,” Dr Mark White, CEO of Nowcasting explained.

Children's Arts Festival takes place in Killaloe/Ballina

The first Children's Arts Festival - "An Féile Eile" – the brainchild of Diane Daly and Boris Hunka was held recently in Killaloe.

Diane and Boris are co-founders of Music in Glen, a not-for-profit organisation, that runs a number of music projects in the local area, including beginner strings lessons, music and drama clubs and a children's choir.

One hundred and eighty third and fourth-class children from Ogonnelloe, Bridgetown, Ballina, Boher, Killaloe (Boys), Killaloe (Girls) Primary schools took part in the event, reports the Nenagh Guardian.

British Airways confirms Shannon presence

British Airways announces US customs clearing for Business Class passengers at Shannon Airport

British Airways has announced that Business Class customers travelling to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from London City Airport will be able to clear customs and immigration at Shannon Airport, prior to arriving in the US, according to tradingmarkets.com.

Shannon Airport is the first airport in Europe to receive pre-clearance facilities for transatlantic services to the United States. Customers utilising the service will bypass normal arrivals checks when landing at New York's JFK.

A twice-daily Business Class service between London City and New York will be launched by British Airways in autumn 2009. Eastbound flights will be non-stop.