The Clare Champion

14/12/2025

A selection of job vacancies from last week's Clare Champion.

14/12/2025

Murphy claims gold in European Cross-Country Championships

Ennis Track AC's Niall Murphy finished in 10th place in the men's U-23 race at the European Cross-Country Championship in Lagao, Portugal, this afternoon claiming a gold team medal in what was an historic appearance at the championships for Team Ireland. In a race led by a commanding individual performance from Nick Griggs, who secured the first individual European Cross Country gold medal of his career, Callum Morgan finished an excellent 8th with Murphy storming to a 10th place finish....

Ennis Track AC’s Niall Murphy finished in 10th place in the men’s U-23 race at the European Cross-Country Championship in Lagao, Portugal, this afternoon claiming a gold team medal in what was an historic appearance at the championships for Team Ireland. In a race led by a commanding individual ...

14/12/2025

A good deed gone viral

A Meelick farmer has gone viral on social media after paying for a snack in McDonald’s Castletroy recently for a group of children with special needs. Kieran Ahern has received glowing tributes including praise from parents of the children after his spontaneous gesture left them gobsmacked. One parent said his son was part of this group of kids and couldn’t thank Kieran enough for his tremendous act of kindness....

A Meelick farmer has gone viral on social media after paying for a snack in McDonald’s Castletroy recently for a group of children with special needs. Kieran Ahern has received glowing tributes including praise from parents of the children after his spontaneous gesture left them gobsmacked. One pa...

14/12/2025

Catherine’s cribs to raise funds for worthy charities

As a small child growing up in Clooney the magic of Christmas for Catherine Ryan was very much about the arrival of the nativity crib at Midnight Mass. That experience sparked the creation by Catherine of what is now a collection of hundreds of cribs from all over the world. Her extensive collection will be showcased in a display at Ennis’ DeValera Library on December 20 to raise funds for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and she hopes those who see it will “share the joy” of the festive season....

As a small child growing up in Clooney the magic of Christmas for Catherine Ryan was very much about the arrival of the nativity crib at Midnight Mass. That experience sparked the creation by Catherine of what is now a collection of hundreds of cribs from all over the world. Her extensive collection...

14/12/2025

Queries over cost of Killaloe bridge tree

The alleged expenditure of €10,000 on the purchase of a new Christmas Tree on the old bridge in Killaloe has been described as a “waste of money” by a former Clare County Council foreman. However, local councillors believe spending thousands of Euro on a new Christmas Tree that is attracting visitors to see, particularly at night, is a good long term investment....

The alleged expenditure of €10,000 on the purchase of a new Christmas Tree on the old bridge in Killaloe has been described as a “waste of money” by a former Clare County Council foreman. However, local councillors believe spending thousands of Euro on a new Christmas Tree that is attracting v...

13/12/2025

Rosemary reaches across the narrow straits with first collection of poetry

Wild Goose Publications has just announced the publication of Across the Narrow Straits, the first full poetry collection from Clare historian, author and social justice advocate Rosemary Power. Rooted in the landscapes of Ireland, Scotland and Iona, these poems explore the crossings – physical, emotional, spiritual – that shape our human journey. Her work explores both the literal crossings of refugees seeking safety and the universal inner journeys we all undertake in search of belonging and hope....

Wild Goose Publications has just announced the publication of Across the Narrow Straits, the first full poetry collection from Clare historian, author and social justice advocate Rosemary Power. Rooted in the landscapes of Ireland, Scotland and Iona, these poems explore the crossings – physical, e...

13/12/2025

Authors turning a new page at Ennis festival

Ennis Book Club Festival has announced an early bird ticket offer for a selection of key events in Ennis Book Club Festival 2026, taking place from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, at various venues throughout the town. As always, the 2026 Festival, this year in its 20th year, will offer an exciting programme of live events and activities for book lovers of all ages, opportunities to engage with your favourite authors and this year, a great Christmas present for the readers in your life....

Ennis Book Club Festival has announced an early bird ticket offer for a selection of key events in Ennis Book Club Festival 2026, taking place from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, at various venues throughout the town. As always, the 2026 Festival, this year in its 20th year, will offer an excit...

13/12/2025

Beneath Irish Seas: My Journey

After forty years in banking, I’ve finally traded suits for wetsuits to focus on a lifelong passion: underwater photography. This October, I published my first book, Beneath Irish Seas—a collection of images celebrating the extraordinary marine life along Ireland’s coast. I’ve been photographing underwater since the 1980s, and the most common reaction to my Irish images is still: Surely that’s not Ireland—who knew it was that colourful? ...

After forty years in banking, I’ve finally traded suits for wetsuits to focus on a lifelong passion: underwater photography. This October, I published my first book, Beneath Irish Seas—a collection of images celebrating the extraordinary marine life along Ireland’s coast. I’ve been photograp...

12/12/2025

Whelan and Marshall battle as Whitegate seal Under 21 C title

Under 21C hurling final Whitegate 2-17 Parteen/MeelicK 1-16 A packed stand and terrace in Ogonnelloe on Saturday symbolised the interest in this final that in effect materialised into an entertaining tie between two evenly matched sides, The real difference that ultimately delivered the title to the north east of the county was the overall strength of key players in defence and attack that withstood a number of Parteen Meelick fightbacks....

Under 21C hurling final Whitegate 2-17 Parteen/MeelicK 1-16 A packed stand and terrace in Ogonnelloe on Saturday symbolised the interest in this final that in effect materialised into an entertaining tie between two evenly matched sides, The real difference that ultimately delivered the title to the...

12/12/2025

Study help a major credit to two deserving West Clare Schools

Two West Clare schools are set to benefit from Kilrush Credit Union’s partnership with an Irish business that offers study help to schools. Kilrush Credit Union has partnered with Studyclix to provide Kilrush Community School and Kilkee Community College with access to their study tool. The partnership with the local credit union and schools mean that over 450 local students are benefiting from sponsorship that has been arranged through the Studyclix ‘Sponsor A School Programme’....

Two West Clare schools are set to benefit from Kilrush Credit Union’s partnership with an Irish business that offers study help to schools. Kilrush Credit Union has partnered with Studyclix to provide Kilrush Community School and Kilkee Community College with access to their study tool. The partne...

12/12/2025

Killaloe soccer fanatic scores with his community award

A Killaloe Manchester United and self-confessed soccer fanatic, who has raised thousands of Euro for local sporting and charity groups, has been officially recognised with a major community award. Mike Flynn, (69) who was born and bred in Crossroads, Killaloe, has volunteered for decades behind the scenes managing local underage soccer teams and helping young people get involved in the sport....

A Killaloe Manchester United and self-confessed soccer fanatic, who has raised thousands of Euro for local sporting and charity groups, has been officially recognised with a major community award. Mike Flynn, (69) who was born and bred in Crossroads, Killaloe, has volunteered for decades behind the....

12/12/2025

Rugby club goes to bat with application for padel court

Ennis Rugby Football Club is “the most suitable, zoned and community-integrated location” for the development of the county capital’s first Padel courts, according to documents lodged with Clare County Council as part of the club’s effort to secure planning permission. There are currently no Padel courts in Clare, with the nearest in Limerick. Three other separate planning applications have been made in the Ennis area for courts, however Ennis RFC say their site is “the most appropriate”....

Ennis Rugby Football Club is “the most suitable, zoned and community-integrated location” for the development of the county capital’s first Padel courts, according to documents lodged with Clare County Council as part of the club’s effort to secure planning permission. There are currently no...