The FREE local newsletter for Claregalway / Carnmore

Interesting articles this month

Information on Swine Flu

from your local Doctor

Healthy Eating

How Sweden survived their

economic bust

Every night is another story

U14 Féile 2009 Report

Carnmore Mile Challenge!

Carnmore Camogie Club invite you to participate in the 2nd Annual 'Carnmore Mile Challenge' on Sunday October 4th at Carnmore Hurling Pitch. This family fun event is open to all ages up for a challenge to run, walk or crawl just '1 Mile' and raise much needed funds for Carnmore Camogie Club and local heart charity Croí. The proceeds of last year's event were divided equally between Carnmore Camogie Club and Galway Hospice with each group benefiting in the amount of €5,000. Announcing this year's 'Carnmore Mile', club chairman, Joe Coen says "we hope to equal or better

last year's event and this is a great way of getting everyone out and walking or jogging and supporting two worthy organisations". To participate, simply contact any member of the Camogie Club Committee for a sponsorship card or just turn up on the day with contribution. Pictured above at the launch of the 2nd Annual Carmore Mile Challenge supporting Carnmore Camogie Club and this year's beneficiary chartity, Croi, photo shows: (l-r) Sarah Jane O'Hanlon, Croí, Liam Glynn, Glynns Centra Carnmore sponsors of Carnmore Camogie Club, Cathriona Byrne, Secretary Carnmore Camogie Club, Joe Coen Chairman Carnmore Camogie Club and Martin Smyth, Treasurer Carnmore Camogie Club.

CLAREGALWAY PHARMACY

Tel:091799754

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Vol. 14, Iss. 1 September 2009

2 Until next time, Josette

A banking system in crisis after the collapse of a housing bubble. An economy haemorrhaging jobs. A market-oriented government struggling to stem the panic. Sound familiar?

It does to Sweden. The country was so far in the hole in 1992 — after years of imprudent regulation, short-sighted economic policy and the end of its property boom — that its banking system was, for all practical purposes, insolvent.

But Sweden took a different course than the one now being proposed by the United States Treasury. And Swedish officials say there are lessons from their own nightmare that Washington may be missing.

Sweden did not just bail out its financial institutions by having the government take over the bad debts. It extracted pounds of flesh from bank shareholders before writing cheques. Banks had to write down losses and issue warrants to the government.

That strategy held banks responsible and turned the government into an owner. When distressed assets were sold, the profits flowed to taxpayers, and the government was able to recoup more money later by selling its shares in the companies as well.

“If I go into a bank,” said Bo Lundgren, who was Sweden’s minister for fiscal and financial affairs at the time, “I’d rather get equity so that there is some upside for the taxpayer.”

Sweden spent 4 percent of its gross domestic product, or 65 billion kronor, the equivalent of $11.7 billion at the time, or $18.3 billion in today’s dollars, to rescue ailing banks. That is slightly less, proportionate to the national economy, than the $700 billion, or roughly 5 percent of gross domestic product, that the Bush administration estimates its own move will cost in the United States.

But the final cost to Sweden ended up being less than 2 percent of its G.D.P. Some officials say they believe it was closer to zero, depending on how certain rates of return are calculated.

The tumultuous events of the last few weeks have produced a lot of tight-lipped nods in Stockholm. Mr. Lundgren even made the rounds in New York in early September, explaining what the country did in the early 1990s.

A few American commentators have proposed that the United States government extract equity from banks as a price for their rescue. But it does not seem to

be under serious consideration yet in the Bush administration.

The reason is not quite clear. The government has already swapped its sovereign guarantee for equity in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance institutions, and the American International Group, the global insurance giant.

Putting taxpayers on the hook without anything in return could be a mistake, said Urban Backstrom, a senior Swedish finance ministry official at the time. “The public will not support a plan if you leave the former shareholders with anything,” he said.

The Swedish crisis had strikingly similar origins to the American one, and its neighbors, Norway and Finland, were hobbled to the point of needing a government bailout to escape the morass as well.

Financial deregulation in the 1980s fed a frenzy of real estate lending by Sweden’s banks, which did not worry enough about whether the value of their collateral might evaporate in tougher times.

Property prices imploded. The bubble deflated fast in 1991 and 1992. A vain effort to defend Sweden’s currency, the krona, caused overnight interest rates to spike at one point to 500 percent. The Swedish economy contracted for two consecutive years after a long expansion, and unemployment, at 3 percent in 1990, quadrupled in three years.

After a series of bank failures and ad hoc solutions, the moment of truth arrived in September 1992, when the government of Prime Minister Carl Bildt decided it was time to clear the decks.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the opposition center-left, Mr. Bildt’s conservative government announced that the Swedish state would guarantee all bank deposits and creditors of the nation’s 114 banks. Sweden formed a new agency to supervise institutions that needed recapitalization, and another that sold off the assets, mainly real estate, that the banks held as collateral.

Sweden told its banks to write down their losses promptly before coming to the state for recapitalization. Facing its own problem later in the decade, Japan made the mistake of dragging this process out, delaying a solution for years.

Then came the imperative to bleed shareholders first. Mr. Lundgren recalls a conversation with Peter Wallenberg, at the time chairman of SEB, Sweden’s largest bank. Mr. Wallenberg, the scion of the country’s most famous family and steward of large chunks of its economy, heard that there would be no sacred cows.

The Wallenbergs turned around and arranged a recapitalization on their own, obviating the need for a bailout. SEB turned a profit the following year, 1993.

“For every krona we put into the bank, we wanted the same influence,” Mr. Lundgren said.

HOW SWEDEN SURVIVED ITS ECONOMIC COLLAPSE, OVER A DECADE AGO

Banks had to write down losses and issue warrants to the government

Hello and welcome to September’s newsletter,

Summer (what we had of it) is well gone now and we are back to routine again. It was a summer of incessant rainfall and wind, denying children and adults exposure to outdoors and to the valuable intake of vitamin D. An Indian Summer has been predicted and if so it will be greatly received.

This month read Nuala’s article on how Sweden survived it’s economic collapse. Perhaps the Irish Government can take note?

Dr. Day’s article on Swine Flu is very informative on page 4. On page 7, read all about the Cloonbigeen Resident’s activities. They are to be commended for their hard work and are an example of what can be done when a group of people get together. The Tidy Towns committee are also hard at work in trying to make Claregalway a better place to live in. This is a project that the whole area can become involved in. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month and everybody is welcome to attend.

Colm and Alan’s football reports keeps us up to date on what’s happening in the football world.

Shaun’s insightful article on age 24 into his life’s journey makes for interesting reading.

As usual, Brian’s crossword should keep us busy and for those of us who like a challenge why not participate in the Carnmore Mile Challenge?

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Josette Farrell, Editor

Until next time, Josette

“That ensured that we did not have to go into certain banks at all.”

By the end of the crisis, the Swedish government had seized a vast portion of the banking sector, and the agency had mostly fulfilled its hard-nosed mandate to drain share capital before injecting cash. When markets stabilized, the Swedish state then reaped the benefits by taking the banks public again.

More money may yet come into official coffers. The government still owns 19.9 percent of Nordea, a Stockholm bank that was fully nationalized and is now a highly regarded giant in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region.

The politics of Sweden’s crisis management were similarly tough-minded, though much quieter.

Soon after the plan was announced, the Swedish government found that international confidence returned more quickly than expected, easing pressure on its currency and bringing money back into

the country. The centre-left opposition, while wary that the government might yet let the banks off the hook, made its points about penalizing shareholders privately.

“The only thing that held back an avalanche was the hope that the system was holding,” said Leif Pagrotzky, a senior member of the opposition at the time. “In public we stuck together 100 percent, but we fought behind the scenes.”

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: October 15, 2008

An article and a picture caption on Sept. 23 about Sweden’s response to its 1992 financial crisis misstated the government position at the time for Bo Lundgren, who described Sweden’s strategy and commented on the United States’ proposals for resolving its own crisis. A correction in this space on Sept. 27 repeated the error. He was minister for fiscal and financial affairs — not finance minister or deputy finance minister.

Nuala Nolan

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Information about Swine Flu from your local Doctor

for an ordinary flu - rest, fluids, paracetamol and to stay at home.

what are the differences between pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and the common cold? It can be difficult at times to distinguish between the common cold and influenza. The main difference is that the symptoms of influenza come on rapidly and are typically accompanied by muscle aches and a fever. The common cold has a more gradual onset and is associated with a runny nose and sneezing. An important additional feature of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is that diarrhoea and vomiting occur occasionally.

what should I do if I get sick?If you get sick with a flu-like illness, phone the HSE Flu Information Line on Freephone 1800 94 11 00, available 24 hours a day.Listen to the symptoms of flu and the advice on home care. Most people with flu will be able to recover at home within a few days without needing anti-viral medicine or medical care.If you have severe symptoms, or are

what is swine flu?Swine flu is the common name given to a new strain of influenza (flu).Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is a new flu virus which has been circulating worldwide since April. The World Health Organisation has declared this to be pandemic – a flu epidemic that spreads around the world.

does this flu spread easily? The new flu virus appears to be highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person through tiny drops in coughs and sneezes. If you are close to a person with flu you can breathe them in and become infected. Droplets can also be passed from surfaces like door handles and hand rails.

how long does the virus live on surfaces? The flu virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours, and a

soft surface for around 20 minutes.How easily does this flu spread? It appears that after a person becomes infected, it takes less than two days for symptoms to start and this is when people are most infectious. Influenza spreads quickly in closed communities such as schools or residential homes.

what are the symptoms?For the vast majority of people, swine flu will be a mild flu-like illness. The most common symptoms are a fever, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, cough, and pains and aches. In other words, the illness and symptoms are very

similar to seasonal (regular) flu. Most people recover within a week and the treatment is the same as

Common Cold Symptoms include• Slow Onset of Symptoms• Fever - rare• Headache - rare• General aches and pains - rare• Fatigue, weakness - quite mild • Extreme exhaustion- never• Runny nose - common• Sneezing - usual• Sore throat - common• Cough - mild to moderate hacking cough• Vomiting/diarrhoea- not associated with the common cold in adults

HSE Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00

Pandemic Flu Symptoms include• Sudden Onset of Symptoms• High Fever - Temperature over 38ºC/100.4ºF• Prominent Headache• Aches and pains - often severe• Fatigue, weakness can be prolonged for a number of weeks• Extreme exhaustion - early and prominent• Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat - common• Cough -common, can be severe• Vomiting/diarrhoea - sometimes

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in a high risk group, contact your GP/family doctor by telephone. They will decide if you need testing or treatment.If you do need to be tested or treated the GP may arrange for you to be seen at their surgery or may arrange a home visit. You should stay at home for 7 days while ill unless needing further care.

how do I care for myself or someone else at home? Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover.• Discourage any visitors• Take medicines such as Paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms• Drink plenty of fluids• Most people with flu will recover within a few days.Call the Flu Information Line 1800 94 11 00 to get more advice on home care.

when should I contact my GP?Only if a person develops severe symptoms or the symptoms last more than a few days do they need to contact the GP. If people are going to consult their GP they should alert the surgery that they have flu symptoms in advance of arrival.Also, patients in defined risk groups should contact their GP if they develop flu-like illness.

These groups are:

1. People with chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease.

2. Those people that may have suppressed immune systems due to disease or treatment.

3. Those with diabetes, people aged 65 years and older; children under 5, people on medication for asthma, the severely obese and pregnant women.

has swine flu arrived in Claregalway?Yes. We see 1 – 2 patients daily with swine flu. Unfortunately because of HSE regulations we can only send confirmatory swabs on a small proportion of patients we suspect have influenza. So far the illness appears to be not too severe. All our patients have been treated at home and no serious complications have occurred.

is there any prevention available?Not as yet. In severe cases, Tamiflu (an antiviral drug) is used to treat the illness and the symptoms are treated with Paracetemol/Ibuprofen.

is there a vaccine available against the new Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus?Not yet, but work is underway to develop a vaccine that will be used here and internationally. Ireland has advance orders in place for enough of this vaccine (7.7 million doses) for the Irish population. This will deliver 2 separate doses to each member of the population. Those who have been infected with the virus will not receive the vaccine.The vaccine is expected to be available in mid to late October 2009.

if you have symptoms of flu:

cover your cough Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your nose

bin your tissues Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste bin

wash your hands Wash your hands often with soap and water, and especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

keep the house cleanClean hard surfaces (e.g door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product

avoid contact with fluTry to avoid close contact with sick people

home is the best hospitalIf you are sick with flu, stay at home to avoid spreading infection to others.

For more information on the Swine Flu

Pandemic, visit the HSE’s website:

www.hse.ie

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Sometimes from across the wavesCome memories of home once more,Of my youth and Claddagh days,By the bay of Galway’s shore.

Whence a child and put to sleep,Dreaming of ships foreign bound,I heard that foghorns vigil keep,Through a window came its sound.

At times I wept at its strident bray,Said mother, “It won’t harm yah,For ‘tis a song of Galway Bay,And called the Burieal Barna”.

When mists and fog blocked the sky,As waves broke on the shore,I came to love that foghorns cry,And dreamt of it for evermore.

I answered the call of the seaAs my father had done as well,And eager for the world to see,To the Claddagh bid farewell.

Out where great rollers breakThe worries of land behind,Our ships track in the wake –With the smell of saltsea wind.

Around Cape Horn I often sailedIn seas that pitched and tossed,Where was seen the mighty whale,And behind – the Albatross.

I saw the sun rise and setOn the worlds’ greatest oceans,And things too I’ll never forget –In the horror of wars commotions.

Once fogbound at anchor lay,In the port of Yokohama,Again I wept for Galway Bay –‘Twas the cry of a Burieal Barna.

Now at night dreams come afar,So clear they leave no doubt,Warning soon I must cross the Bar,That my tide was ebbing out.

No more I’ll hear that foghorns toneSwinging on the tides,Nor see again my Claddagh home,Or the City of the Tribes.

And when I sail to seas on high,To meet my heavenly Karma,May I hear a last plaintive sigh –The Song of the Burieal Barna.

Edward Coppinger

THE BURIEAL BARNA

Colloquially known as the above, a foghorn in the Channel to Galway Docks.

For Claddagh sailors the sea claimed.

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Cloonbigeen Residents Association News Update

Cloonbigeen Residents Association was set up a number of years ago with the aim of improving the amenity of the area. We have planted over 1,000 trees on the road to Gortcloonmore and in various locations in the Cloonbigeen area. This planting project is now complete other than annual maintenance.

Last year we embarked on a project to improve the entrance to the Abbey (Old Graveyard). The first part of the project was to improve the signage for visitors to the abbey. We erected an information sign just inside the gate and also a directional finger post on the N17. This was jointly funded by Galway County Council and the residents and on a 50/50 basis.

Now as our contribution to Claregalway Tidy Towns we are continuing this project. We have planted the area around the information sign and have done a major cleanup of the shrubs. We removed the grass and weeds from the parking area. Over the next few months we plan to replace some of the shrubs, which are now past their best with new shrubs more suitable to this area. Shortly we will be removing all the briars along the walls of the graveyard and along the parish field fronting onto the N17. This will improve the visual amenity of the abbey and assist Claregalway in the Tidy Towns. The gates to the new and old graveyards are being replaced and the inside gates to the abbey will be painted shortly.

Vincent Lyons

There is nothing the matter with me,

I’m as healthy as I can be,

I have arthritis in both my knees,

And when I talk - I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin,

But - I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

Arch supports I have for my feet,

Or I wouldn’t be able to be out on the stret,

Sleep is denied me night after night,

But every morning I find I’m alright.

My memory is failing, my heads in a spin,

But - I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

How do I know that my youth is all spent?

Well, my ‘get up and go’ has got up and went.

But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin,

Of all the grand places my ‘got up’ has bin.

Old age is golden I’ve heard it said,

But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,

With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,

My spes on a table until I get up.

When I was young my slippers were red,

I could kick my heels right over my head,

When I was older my slippers were blue,

But I still could dance the whole night through.

Now I am old my slippers are black,

I walk to the shop and puff my way back,

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,

And pick up the paper to read the ‘obits’,

If my name is still missing I know I’m not dead;

And so I have my breakfast and - go back to bed.

I’M VERY WELL THANK YOU

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME

Claregalway Hotel adds nomination for Gold Medal Awards

to existing accoladesOne of Galway’s most popular hotels, The Claregalway Hotel is one of the top four hotels in the country to be nominated for a prestigious Hotel and Catering Review Gold Medal Award. This nomination puts the Claregalway Hotel in its rightful place among the finest hotels in the country.

The Gold Medal Awards are considered to be the leading independent awarding body in the Hotel and Catering Industry. A delighted Paul Gill, Managing Director of the Claregalway Hotel today said:“We are thrilled with our nomination, it is a true reflection of all the hard work our management and dedicated staff have put in over the past five years. This award is also a great reflection on our customers who help us to improve our standards more each year through their feedback and suggestions. We thank them for this. It is truly an achievement we are all very proud of.”

This news heralds a double celebration in The Claregalway Hotel as they have recently also been awarded The Fáilte Ireland Mark of Best Practice Award for 2009/2010 while retaining their Fáilte Ireland Service Excellence Award for 2009/2010.

Contact The Claregalway Hotel on: 091 738 300 or stay@claregalwayhotel.ie

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Healthy Eating - A Summary

Eat plenty of starchy foods (complex carbohydrates)The main part of most meals should be starchy foods such as bread, cereals, potatoes, rice, and pasta, together with fruit and vegetables. Some people wrongly think that starchy foods are 'fattening'. In fact, they contain about half the calories than the same weight of fat.

Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each dayOne portion is: one large fruit such as an apple, pear, banana, orange, or a large slice of melon or pineapple, or two smaller fruits such as plums, satsumas, etc., or one cup of small fruits such as grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, etc, or two large tablespoons of fruit salad, stewed or canned fruit, or one tablespoon of dried fruit, or one glass of fresh fruit juice (150ml),or a normal portion of any vegetable (about two tablespoons), or one dessert bowl of salad.

Watch out for hidden fats that are in pastries, chocolate, cakes, and biscuits. Have low-fat milk, cheeses, yoghurts, and other dairy foods rather than full-fat varieties. Avoid cream. Use low fat salad cream, or low-fat yoghurt as a cream substitute.

Don't have too many sugary foods and drinksThese are high in calories, and too much may cause weight gain (and they are bad for your teeth).

Try not to eat too much saltUse small amounts of salt with cooking, and don't add more salt at the table.

Don't drink too much alcoholA small amount of alcohol (1-2 units per day) may help to protect you from heart disease. One unit is about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a glass of wine, or one pub measure of spirits. However, too much can be harmful. Men should drink no more than 21 units per week (and no more than four units in any one day). Women should drink no more than 14 units per week (and no more than three units in any one day).

Eating healthily helps to prevent diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, certain gut disorders, and certain cancers. This article gives a brief summary on healthy eating. For more

information on healthy eating, visit the Student Union Office.

Eat protein foods in moderationMeat, fish, nuts, pulses, chicken, and similar foods are high in protein. You need some protein to keep healthy. However, most people eat more protein than is needed. Choose poultry such aschicken, or lean meat. Oily fish is thought to help protect against heart disease. For example, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, kippers, pilchards, and fresh tuna (not tinned tuna). Aim to eat at least two portions of fish per week, at least one of which should be oily.

Don't eat too much fat Try not to fry much food. It is better to grill, bake, poach, barbecue, or boil food. If you do fry, use unsaturated oil such as corn, sunflower or olive oil. Drain off the oil before eating. Choose lean cuts of meat, and cut off any excess fat. Try not to add unnecessary fat to food. For example, use low fat spreads, spread less butter or margarine on bread, measure out small portions of oil for cooking, etc.

SPECIAL NEWS

Claregalway man Eugene Horan recently had the honour of being invited to Old Trafford, Manchester to attend a fundraising dinner in honour of ‘The Greatest Of All Time’-Muhammad Ali.

“As a lifelong fan, it was a dream come true to ‘Shake the hand that shook the World!”

Eugene, who is cast along side the legendary Irish actor Patrick Bergin in the new movie thriller ‘Ghostwood’, is out on DVD

throughout the U.K from September 28th, with an Irish release to follow shortly after.

BIRTHSOrla Lenihan, Baby daughter for Gordon and Treasa, Lakeview

Rian Grealish, Son for Gerry and Maureen, Carnmore

Calum Heery, Son for Karl and Carol, Gortatleva, born on the 16th July 2009

WEDDINGSMarie Gilmartin and Sean Garvey,

The Friary,

7th August 2009

Josephine Doherty, Cregboy

and Brian Scanlon, Galway,

8th August 2009

Brian Grealish, Carnmore

and Aisling Conroy, Galway,

21st August 2009

R.I.P.Ray Kavanagh,

Iniscarraig, Cloon,

August 25th August 2009

Congratulations to Karen and Damien Francis, Waterdale, on the birth of their baby

daughter Rachel on the 21st August 2009.

Congratulations to Eamonn O’Connell, Cregboy, and Sile O’ Halloran,

Limerick, who got engaged in June.

Congratulations to Siobhán and John Geraghty, Claregalway, on the birth of their baby

boy Dónal, a brother for Máire and Seosamh, born on the 20th July 2009.

Fitness Fusion, Adult Irish Dancing Classes coming to Claregalway, featuring dance instructors from Riverdance!

Combine the skill and technique of Irish dancing with a fun aerobic workout.

Classes are subject to demand in the area. Register your interest now by calling 085 160 1601, or emailing info@mysticforce.ie

Drum Classes

Want to learn how to play the drums?

Then concact Murt Fahy at 098-1649406

Congratulations to Christina McCarthy, Lakeview, who celebrated a very special birthday

on the 9th of September 2009.

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Claregalway Tidy Towns Competition – 2009The results of the Claregalway Tidy Towns Competition were very positive for a first time entry. The overall result was 228 out of 400. The adjudication took place before a lot of work was carried out and this gives us the encouragement to plan well ahead for next year when we hope to take it to a better level and make Claregalway a place to be proud of. We want people to want to come to Claregalway and to linger here thus sending out the message that we take pride in our community. We have so many committed people on board taking an active interest in the area. We also welcome any new people to join us on this very worthwhile project. During these recessionary times, it is nice to be involved in helping out and what better way than to be involved in community work? It is rewarding in that you are helping to make your place a better place and sending out positive messages to other communities.

Josette Farrell (Chairperson)

Next meeting is on Tuesday, 6th October at 8.30 p.m. in the Parish Meeting Room. All are welcome to attend.

The following is the adjudication report:

Maximum Mark Mark Awarded 2009

Overall Development Approach 50 29

The Built Environment 50 31

Landscaping 50 32

Wildlife and Natural Amenities 50 24

Litter Control 50 28

Waste Minimisation 20 11

Tidiness 30 15 Residential Areas 40 21

Roads, Streets and Back Areas 50 30

General Impression 10 7

TOTAL MARK 400 228

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“

for their generous sponsorship. All eyes were on last year’s champion Pat Coakley of Razor Developments. He was looking in form and would be hard to beat but would there be a dark horse (sorry camel) in the group?

As the white flag was raised all eyes were on the track and after a very tight race, a dead heat was declared between Pat Coakley and Ciarán Harte representing Acorn Life. A run off was required. Punters were getting nervous, there was big money at stake here. In the tightest of finishes, Razor Developments was pipped at the post with victory going to Acorn Life. Ciarán Harte was presented with the Claregalway/Lackagh Perpetual Plate by Galway Rose Eimear O’Leary. Pat got his own back later though when he was victorious in the overall winning jockey’s race.

for their generous sponsorship. All eyes were on last year’s champion Pat Coakley of Razor Developments. He was looking in form and would be hard to beat but would there be a dark horse (sorry camel) in the group?

As the white flag was raised all eyes were on the track and after a very tight race, a dead heat was declared between Pat Coakley and Ciarán Harte representing Acorn Life. A run off was required. Punters were getting nervous, there was big money at stake here. In the tightest of finishes, Razor Developments was pipped at the post with victory going to Acorn Life. Ciarán Harte was presented with the Claregalway/Lackagh Perpetual Plate by Galway Rose Eimear O’Leary. Pat got his own back later though when he was victorious in the overall winning jockey’s race.

by local businesses. The highlight of the night was the business race. With eleven local business represented at the starting line and the Claregalway/Lackagh plate at stake tension was running high.

The contenders for the plate were Secure-All Security, Noel Grealish T.D, Cregmore Construction, DKHN, Select Cartridge, Egan Screeding, Medtronic, Razor Developments, Claregalway Pharmacy, Acorn Life and Hughes’ Supervalu. We thank all these businesses

by local businesses. The highlight of the night was the business race. With eleven local business represented at the starting line and the Claregalway/Lackagh plate at stake tension was running high.

The contenders for the plate were Secure-All Security, Noel Grealish T.D, Cregmore Construction, DKHN, Select Cartridge, Egan Screeding, Medtronic, Razor Developments, Claregalway Pharmacy, Acorn Life and Hughes’ Supervalu. We thank all these businesses

The 2nd annual Claregalway/Lackagh Community Games Camel Race night took place on Friday 10th July. It was a brilliant night of craic which was enjoyed by all.

What makes camel racing different from your run of the mill race night is that everyone gets involved. The camels can’t move under their own steam so jockeys are required with nerves of steel and nimble wrists to steer them to the finish line. As the jockeys leave the parade ring the punters rush to the tote to have a flutter on who they fancy.

And…they’re off…

It’s not enough to take an early lead – jockey’s must keep the wrists going at full power until they cross the finish line.It was a busy night with ten races on the card all sponsored

The 2nd annual Claregalway/Lackagh Community Games Camel Race night took place on Friday 10th July. It was a brilliant night of craic which was enjoyed by all.

What makes camel racing different from your run of the mill race night is that everyone gets involved. The camels can’t move under their own steam so jockeys are required with nerves of steel and nimble wrists to steer them to the finish line. As the jockeys leave the parade ring the punters rush to the tote to have a flutter on who they fancy.

And…they’re off…

It’s not enough to take an early lead – jockey’s must keep the wrists going at full power until they cross the finish line.It was a busy night with ten races on the card all sponsored

Community Games Camel Race Night a Great Success

He was in form and would be hard to beat, but would

there be a dark horse (sorry camel) in

the group? ”

Enjoying the craic at the Claregalway/Lackagh Community Games Came Race Night. Back L-R: Declan Moran, Galway Rose Eimear O’Leary, Ger McGuire, Christine Moran, Paul Nash, Josephine Nash, Maura Harte, John Costello.

Middle: Brid Moran, Rita O’Leary Healy, Mary Conlon. Front: Tim Hynes, Michelle Rohan.

The other races on the night were all generously sponsored by local businesses. These were RoCo Manufacturing, Barry’s Hair Studio, The Arches Hotel, Paul Nash Travel, Claregalway Pharmacy, T. Duggans Garage, Turloughmore Medical Centre, Claregalway Ladies Football Club, Escape Leisure, Kevin Lyons Driveways and Medtronic.

We also received generous support from our advertisers, Xquisite Beauty, Michael Cooney & Sons, Raftery’s Centra, Turloughmore Post Office, Kyne Pharmacies.

As always, Paul and Nora Gill of the Claregalway Hotel were very supportive and gave us the use of the room and finger food for the hungry jockeys.Overall the night was a great success both as a brilliant community night out and as a fundraiser. Happily, the funds raised allowed us to cover the

The other races on the night were all generously sponsored by local businesses. These were RoCo Manufacturing, Barry’s Hair Studio, The Arches Hotel, Paul Nash Travel, Claregalway Pharmacy, T. Duggans Garage, Turloughmore Medical Centre, Claregalway Ladies Football Club, Escape Leisure, Kevin Lyons Driveways and Medtronic.

We also received generous support from our advertisers, Xquisite Beauty, Michael Cooney & Sons, Raftery’s Centra, Turloughmore Post Office, Kyne Pharmacies.

As always, Paul and Nora Gill of the Claregalway Hotel were very supportive and gave us the use of the room and finger food for the hungry jockeys.Overall the night was a great success both as a brilliant community night out and as a fundraiser. Happily, the funds raised allowed us to cover the

cost of all the local children who qualified for the National Finals in Athlone.

Sincere thanks to all our sponsors. Without their ongoing generous support, Community Games would not be able to continue. I would encourage all those with an interest in Community Games to reward their generosity by giving them your business where possible.

We’d also like to thank everyone who bought a camel and all who came along on the night. Everyone agreed that it was a night to remember. We hope that you are all in training for Camel Racing 2010.

cost of all the local children who qualified for the National Finals in Athlone.

Sincere thanks to all our sponsors. Without their ongoing generous support, Community Games would not be able to continue. I would encourage all those with an interest in Community Games to reward their generosity by giving them your business where possible.

We’d also like to thank everyone who bought a camel and all who came along on the night. Everyone agreed that it was a night to remember. We hope that you are all in training for Camel Racing 2010.

Galway Rose Eimear O’Leary presents the overall Winning Jockey’s Plate to Pat Coakley of Razor Developments.

Galway Rose Eimear O’Leary presents the coveted Claregalway/Lackagh Perpetual Plate to Ciarán Harte who steered his camel to victory in the hotly contested business race. Ciarán was representing his father Seán of Acorn Life.

Who will win the Claregalway Lackagh Plate in 2010?

CLAREGALWAY NO NAME CLUB

The Claregalway no name club will resume on Saturday 19th of September.

ALL teenagers are welcome between the age of 15 to 18+ years.

We welcome adults to come along and get involved.

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Claregalway brought themselves back on level terms soon afterwards. Damien Culkin, having been moved out the field in a bid to try and stop the powerful running of Clane's central line, dispossessed his marker with a thunderous shoulder and played a lovely lobbed pass to Ryan Manning who was unceremoniously dragged down in the penalty area. Manning was the coolest man on or off the pitch as he stroked the penalty in the bottom right-hand corner to level the game with 10 minutes remaining. Sadly, this was as good as it got for Claregalway, and Clane once again gained the upper hand and pressed home their dominance. The final score was Clane 0-5 Claregalway 1-0.

Although Claregalway were down, they were by no means out, and they returned to the Clane grounds after a night with their host families with the hope the Derry champions

could do them a favour against Clane by claiming a victory. Things looked very promising for Claregalway when Derry put themselves a point up in injury time with a deflected goal, but

Claregalway u-14 boys had the great honour of representing their club and county at the All-Ireland Féile na nÓg last month. While things didn't all go Claregalway's way on the pitch, a great time was had by all, and it certainly was a weekend to remember for all the players.

Claregalway's first match was against their hosts for the weekend, Clane. Unfortunately, for the lads in green, they never really got going in this opening game and Clane, the hungrier and more determined side over the 50 minutes, fully deserved their victory. The first half was a torrid affair from a Claregalway viewpoint with Clane laying siege to the Galway men’s goal. Only some wayward shooting and some marvellous defending from Damien Culkin and Eoin Flaherty kept Clane's scoring to a minimum, and the half-time deficit to a mere two points. Claregalway's failure to register a single score in the first half was a big worry and they were having huge problems getting the ball past the middle third of the field.

The second half was a slight improvement for Claregalway but they still never produced the scintillating football that their fans know they are capable of. Clane stretched their lead to three points early on in the second period, but

Féile Kildare Final Report

“Right from the start, Claregalway were in

excellent form”

by Colm Brennan

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Clane managed to draw a free and sneak a draw.

Claregalway knew their fate was out of their own hands, and perhaps this relieved some of the pressure from the team, because they played like a different team against Kilcock in their second match. Right from the start, Claregalway were in excellent form with Harry Connolly pulling the strings from centre forward and Craig Hansberry a powerful presence on the edge of the square. Claregalway continued their trend of focussing on scoring goals and Craig Hansberry had two goals in the first 10 minutes, soon followed by a third goal for Claregalway by Ryan Manning. Manning added a point to leave Claregalway looking comfortable, but a Kilcock penalty narrowed the gap to leave a half-time score of 3-1 to a 1-1 in Claregalway's favour.

Kilcock started the second half with a renewed vigour, and began to reel Claregalway in. A second goal closely followed by a second point by the Kildare side left Claregalway's lead looking perilous, before captain Craig Hansberry knocked over a free to leave some breathing space between the sides. Kevin Brennan then hit the post after a fine move that could have sealed the victory, and Kilcock began to bombard the Claregalway goal with a series of attacks. Some very questionable refereeing left Claregalway struggling to hold onto their early lead, and with the narrowest of margins between the teams some determined and disciplined defending, led by the inspirational Cathal Evans, was enough to eek out a one point victory for the Galway champions. The final score was 3-2 to 2-4.

Claregalway's competitive interest in the competition ended when Clane overcame Kilcock after an even and bruising encounter. Despite this, Claregalway's last match against Sleacht Neil, the Derry champions, was eagerly anticipated as score difference was likely to decide who would

progress from the group. Claregalway battled valiantly against the Northern side, and all the players acquitted themselves well. It was an opportunity for some of the squad players to impress ahead of the Galway league and championship finals, and they took to the task with relish. Claregalway started well, and when Craig Hansberry drove home a crashing shot to the roof of the Derry men’s net it looked like Claregalway were set to do their hosts a big favour and send them through to the All-Ireland Semi-Finals. However, it was not to be, as a storming Derry revival in the second half, aided by a well dispatched penalty and a late free gave them the five point win they needed to top the group.

The final score was 2-4 to 1-2, but Claregalway were far from disheartened after a stirring performance from the whole panel throughout the match, with notable performances from Damien Culkin, Tom O’ Reilly and Craig Hansberry.The club would like to thank Clane for being such excellent hosts throughout the weekend and for the use of their fine facilities.

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Claregalway commenced their U15 City League campaign with 2 home games recently. The first, on Friday night, August 28th against Oughterard and the second on Sunday August 30th against Clarinbridge. The league has been slow to start as some of the other clubs could not field teams due to lack of numbers and clashes with other competitions. Hopefully these problems are addressed and we can plan for a game each weekend over the coming weeks.

Conditions for the first match were good. Claregalway started strongly with Craig Hansberry getting in for a goal. Oughterard came back well scoring 2 points in reply. The game was very competitive and Claregalway found it difficult to assert their authority. The lads found it difficult to deal with the physical size of some of the Oughterard players. However, towards the end of the half they put

some nice moves together with Colm Devery scoring 1-1. At the break Claregalway were ahead on a score-line of 2-4 to 0-3.

Again, Claregalway started the second half well. Rory Gunning was showing for the ball and got the opening point of the half. He followed up shortly afterwards with another point and a goal. Throughout the game Mike Coyle was playing well. He got the last 3 scores of the game, 1-2 to add to his 2 points in the first half. Oughterard continued to play well and work hard for possession. They scored 2-2 in the second half but the Claregalway lads always seemed to have enough in hand. The game ended on a score-line of 4-10 to 2-5.

Overall the team played well with the full back line performing particularly strongly. Dara Moylan had a good game at centre back

and coped well with the strong Oughterard runners from midfield. The forwards took some good scores with Colm Devery, Rory Gunning and Michael Morris performing particularly well. We had 18 players for the game and all played a minimum of 25 minutes each. Edwin Carey, a regular on our U16 team and one of our stronger U15’s is out at the moment. We hope he will be back to fitness in the coming weeks.

Team Details: Mark Shaughnessy, Darren Hennessy, Cathal Evans, Conor O’Reilly, Richard Commins, Dara Moylan, Harry Conneally, Michael Coyle, Brian O’Connell, Colm Devery, Michael Morris, Mark Coyle, Shane McHugh, Craig Hansbury, Rory Gunning, Tom O’Reilly, Damien Holland, Eoin Flaherty.

On Sunday, we were to play Clarinbridge. However, they did not have enough players to field a full team and awarded the game to Claregalway. Instead we agreed to play a friendly. To make up the numbers we pulled in some of the U13 Claregalway players and 3 of our U15 team played with Clarinbridge. Conditions for the game were very difficult with the weather more appropriate for November than August. However both teams got stuck in and all players enjoyed a challenging, competitive game. A special thanks to the U13 lads, Owen Cullinane, Conor Gavin, Raymond Heneghan, Mark Rohan, Damien Dolan, Padraig Kearney and Ben Murray, as without them we would have struggled for numbers. I trust they enjoyed their game-time.

The U15 players used on the day were Mark Shaughnessy, Cathal Evans, Conor O’Reilly, Richard Commins, Dara Moylan, Harry Conneally, Michael Coyle, Brian O’Connell, Colm Devery, Michael Morris, Mark Coyle, Craig Hansberry (Injured), Rory Gunning, Tom O’Reilly, Damien Holland, Eoin Flaherty.

Alan Moran - Manager

U15 Match Reports

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for a short time but most got out and joined in the fun. The girls from Clane were definitely not shy and quickly introduced themselves to our very quiet, shy boys from Claregalway!

We thank the Clane GAA Club and hope that we will be able to return the favour and entertain them at some time in the future. Clane GAA Club (Hurling & Football together) have fantastic facilities 4 pitches, fabulous stadium, changing rooms galore, hall for indoor activities and full kitchen. We hope in the future to have some of these facilities between our new development in Knockdoemore and our present facilities in Claregalway Centre, which are badly needed.

We also thank our main sponsors Hughes SuperValu for their valued support and all our sponsors, to the boys and their families, to the Manager Michael Coyle and his team - Gerry Brennan, Joe Hennessy, PJ O’Hagan, David Hansberry, PJ O’Connell and Physio Brian McGrath

Panel: Ben Creaven, Jamie Holland, Damien Culkin; Jason Donnellan, Eoin Flaherty, Cathal Evans, Conor O’Reilly, Mark Coyle, Darran Hennessy, Sean Linnane, Conor Shaughnessey, Harry Connolly, Kevin Hanley, Ryan Manning, Craig Hansberry, Kevin Brennan, Damien Dolan, Mark Rohan, Andrew Dolan, Paddy Griffin, Paul Fahy, Damien Holland, Dylan Glynn, Eoghan O’Hagen, Tom O’Reilly, Padraig Kearney, Kegan Fox, Keith Herwood, Vincent Doyle, Aengus Officer, Paul Maher, Darren Fitzpatrick, Stephen Carr, Colin Joyce, Conor Gavin and Kevin Ruane.

evening, giving our subs a chance to play, against the team from New York, and what a team they were. While our lads played very well and joined up very well with their new team, New York took the match. Our first match was against Clane who turned out the better team on the day but spirits were high and we went on to attend the parade and festivities for the opening ceremonies.

The next match was on Saturday morning against Kilcock, we fought well and almost had it…Our last match saw Claregalway put out a strong squad with our subs take to the pitch and give a good threat to Slaughtneil, Derry’s chances of winning and going on to the Semi Final, but alas, it was not to be and Slaughterneil took the game and went on to play Ballyboden who actually won the Final. Thankfully, because of the standard of our players they all got to play in a game over the weekend.

Those parents spoken to after this occasion said that it was wonderful, that their children really enjoyed it, could not get over the welcome from the Clane GAA and all the trouble the Club went to in order to facilitate us.

The time and effort that the GAA Club of Clane put into the holding three teams from various parts of Ireland was enormous. They had food ready from Friday – sandwiches, hot food, soups, teas and coffees for all over the whole weekend. They also arranged entertainment on Friday and Saturday night for parents and a Disco for the young people, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We had some shy lads sitting on the side

Claregalway Boys U14 Féile 2009, Cill Dara

This July saw Claregalway Boys Under 14 Team travel to Clane, Kildare for Féile 2009.

A great and most enjoyable event. Coaches and parents who had previously attended Feile either as participants, or over the past few years as parents of their older children who had taken part, told us how great an experience it is for everyone and how this is one of the times that is “the making of the memories of life.” Some parents said they would go just for the Craic of it all, families go to support their son/daughter spouse and they too have a great time. Could this be so, sounds a little over the top, right?

Well they were right! It was a wonderful experience for the boys and for us parents. We had the joy of watching our boys play at a high level of competition; although they did not progress in the competition, they did us proud and played their hearts out. We cheered for them and we all cheered for the teams in our group as they progressed and that was sportsmanship as it should be.

The boys stayed with host families and who they got to know and made new friends fast. The chat on Saturday morning was about what your family was like, what a big feed of breakfast you got, how far out of Clane you were or were not staying, of course what time did you go to sleep! (One question the boys were sure to keep out of the coaches’ ear range!)

164 Clubs from all over the world arrived in Clane for Féile 2009, teams from all over Ireland naturally. Our lads joined Clane for a challenge match on the first

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This Claregalway captured the U 14 A Championship following a replay with Bearna on Friday evening in Tuam Stadium. In an entertaining game, some excellent displays were given by both sides.Bearna ran into an early lead scoring a goal and three points before Claregalway opened their account with two frees from the impressive Craig Hansberry and a neat point from Ryan Manning. Claregalway were happy enough to retire at half time on a scoreline 1 - 4 to 0 - 3. Ben Craven made a superb save early in the second half which seemed to lift our full back line of Damian Culkeen, Jamie Holland and Owen Flaherty. Bearna's mid field dominance was severely curtailed when Mark Coyle was switched out on Bearna's Jason Lyons, their most influential player. Harry Connolly struck for a crucial goal ten minutes into the second half to tie up the match 1 - 5 a piece. Bearna went a head again but then a sweeping movement which involved man of the match Tom Reilly and the unrelated,but pacy Conor Reilly interpass to release the magical Conor Shaughnessy who gave a pinpoint pass to the Craig Hansberry, Craig riffled the back of the

Bearna net. Bearna hit the next two points to leave the score 2 -6 to 1 - 8 with ten minutes to go.Sean Linnane back after injury was winning everything at wing back and Cathal Evans thwarted several Bearna attacks.A free from Harry Connolly followed by a monster from forty yards by Tom Reilly sealed the deal for Claregalway. One last ditch effort was superbly snuffed out by Kevin Brennan and fittingly the ball was collected by the captain Darren Hennessy.Scenes of joy abounded around Tuam Stadium when Darren Hennessy, Captain lifted the cup. Tom O Reilly was awarded man of the match, but it was a team effort with every one giving their all and a word of congratulations to the wise men on the line, their manager Mike Coyle and selectors Ger Brennan, PJ O Hagan and Joe Hennessy,t hey made some crucial switches when the game was there for either team.Congratulations to Ben Craven, Mark Coyle, Owen Flaherty and Craig Hansberry who were selected on the U 14 Galway Development Team.

Claregalway U14 win County Championship Final, Tuam Stadium, Friday August 21st.

Saturday, 29th August, in Ballyhaunis, Galway City and West won the tournament, beating Mayo South and West comfortably in the final. The semi final against Galway County was a much tighter affair. The rivalry between the neighbouring teams led to a very competitive game with City and West winning by 2 points. Sean Moran played well and was delighted with the victory.

Sean Moran represents Claregalway on the City & West team

GAA COACHING & TEAM ORGANISATIONEach year, Claregalway GAA club goes from strength to strength. The number of underage and senior players involved with the different teams increases annually. To cater for the additional numbers, the club is working on additional playing facilities for 2010. Obviously this is an important activity but of equal importance is the organisation and management of the different age groups and teams within the club. The coaches, team managers, first aiders, selectors and anyone that helps out, play a key role in the success and smooth running of the club.

In particular, the role of the coach or team manage is vital to the success of the team and the enjoyment of the players. New directives from Croke Park require that certain training standards are achieved before an individual can coach a team. In an effort to inform, educate and explain, we would like to extend an invitation for all those interested, to a meeting in the:

Claregalway Hotel on Tuesday, September 15th @ 8pmIn particular, the following people should attend:

• Parents of underage players who would like to understand the working of the club and the organisation of the teams• Ex players who would like to get back involved with the club • Senior players who have an interest in coaching• Those currently involved with teams – managers, selectors, coaches etc• Any recent arrivals in the area that have an interest in GAA• All club members• Anyone that has an interest in coaching underage or senior teams

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08:03 08:30 09:05 09:20 10:30 10:45 10:35 11:05 11:17 11:40 11:30 11:50 12:15 12:30 13:30 13:45 14:25 14:40 15:15 [FRIDAY ONLY] 15:35 15:55 16:10 17:10 17:30 17:30 [FRIDAY ONLY] 17:45 19:05 [FRIDAY ONLY] 19:20 19:31 [EXCEPT SATURDAY] 19:50 21:15 21:30 22:15 22:30

10:35 10:50 13:30 13:45 16:10 16:25 16:30 16:45 17:10 17:25 19:05 19:20 19:35 19:50 22:15 22:30

BUS TIMETABLE FOR CLAREGALWAY

Monday to Saturday

Dep. Claregalway Arr. in Galway

Dep. Claregalway Arr. in Galway

Sunday Services

Dep. Galway Arr. in Claregalway

Monday to Saturday

09:00 09:20 10:30 10:50 12:00 12:20 14:00 14:20 15:00 [FRIDAY ONLY] 15:20 15:45 15:55 16:00 16:20 17:45 18:05 18:15 18:35 20:15 [FRIDAY ONLY] 20:35

Dep. Galway Arr. in Claregalway

10:00 10:20 12:00 12:20 14:00 14:20 15:00 15:20 16:00 16:20 17:00 17:20 18:15 18:35 20:10 20:30 20:15 20:35 21:00 21:20 21:10 21:30

Sunday Services

The bus stop in Claregalway is situated beside the Nine Arches & across from Cois Chláir Shopping Complex.

Please note these times are approximate only.

Nuacht Chláir will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this timetable.

Be sure to hail the bus, because on many of these routes the bus driver will only stop if requested.

Photocopying & fax service available

1000 flyers €200

Business cards from €90

Business packages from €300

Flexible payment options available

A4 brochure deals

Website deals now available

See instore for details

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KEARNEY FUNERAL DIRECTORSPersonal Attention - 24 Hour Service .

- Coffins - Caskets - Embalming - Cremation - Grave Digging - Repatriation

Lackagh, Turloughmore, Co Galway Telephone / Fax: 091 797167Mobile: Frank 085 1266133 / Joe: 087 6292350Email: jfk@lackagh.com

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KEARNEY FUNERAL DIRECTORSPersonal Attention - 24 Hour Service .

- Coffins - Caskets - Embalming - Cremation - Grave Digging - Repatriation

Lackagh, Turloughmore, Co Galway Telephone / Fax: 091 797167Mobile: Frank 085 1266133 / Joe: 087 6292350Email: jfk@lackagh.com

Claregalway/Carnmore Active Retirement AssociationMeeting every Friday morning at 10:30am in the Parish Meeting Room. New members welcome.

Keepin’ the FaithGalway Bay FM

Sunday Morning 8:00am - 9:00am

Contemporary & Traditional sacred music

Senior ChoirPractice Monday nights at 8:15pm in the Church. All welcome.

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CLAREGALWAY CHURCH INFORMATIONPARISH OF CLAREGALWAY

THE ASSUMPTION & ST. JAMESSunday Masses: Sat: 7.30 p.m. Additional Mass Friday: 7.30 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Confessions: 7 - 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Weekdays: Mon - Sat: 9.30 a.m. Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month at 12.30 p.m.

Canon Noel Mullin: Tel: 798 104

PARISH OFFICEParish Secretary: Teresa Payne.

Telephone: 091-798741

Email: claregalwayparish@eircom.net

The Office is situated in the Curate’s House, beside Canon’s Mullin’s house.

Office Hours: 10.00 am. to 1.00 pm. Monday to Friday.

All requests for Baptism and Confirmation Certificates, Anniversary Masses and other Mass bookings should be

made directly to the Secretary during office hours.

Items for the Church Newsletter should also be handed in or phoned to the Office.

The deadline is midday on Wednesdays.

During the fourth or fifth playing of Matt Monro’s ‘Born Free’ I stop being equal parts fascinated and irritated by my father’s fixation with a man called ‘The Singer’s Singer’ by those ‘in the know’ (those who grew up in the 60’s or 70’s) and start wondering how much has changed in the past year.

Since I finished the LC and started taking my first tentative steps into the arena of adulthood I’ve been using this column as a platform to speak my thoughts aloud and hopefully encourage a healthy transition from post-pubescent adolescent to young adult. The real world has offered highs and lows of

Every Night Is Another Story

every form and range. I’ve celebrated the Brandenburg river festival by the banks of the Havel and cleared 7 schweinhaus of pig dung. I went to my first concert and had my first hangover, not that those two events are in any way related. I’ve been well and truly exposed to men and women of every size, shape, colour and background and become the better for it. I rode a lady’s bicycle for a month and used power tools without losing any necessary bodily accessories. I’d like to think I’ve become more of a man, or at the very least less of a child.

Still… I can’t shake the feeling that the old adage that the more things seem to change the more they stay the same rings too true to ignore. I’ll be going back to college soon and despite my best efforts I fear a routine will develop involving lectures, the

College Bar and sleeping in. I’d like to think there’s still so many things to meet and people to do- scratch that, reverse it. All we can do is try every day to squeeze every drop of citrus from whatever lemons life lends us, or to quote Matt Monro:

“Live free, and beauty surrounds you, The world still astounds you, Each time you look at a star”

Shaun Leonard

ALL MEMBERSHIPSNo Registration Fee

A Free Sports Massage Membership from only €9 per week!

Escape Leisure, Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway

Tel: 091 738 220Email: info@escapeleisure.com

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September ’09 update from your local Councillor, Jim CuddyWork on EIS Study Starts I am glad to be able to say that the long awaited EIS study of the route of the proposed Claregalway relief road has started and is expected to take about three weeks. Once that is done the council will be in a position to commence the CPO process with a view to acquiring the land involved. When that is done I would expect that all public representatives both local and national will come out publicly once and for all and support this project.

Road verge trimming Galway County Council engineers have informed me that due to a shortage of funds that they will not be cutting back bushes, briars etc along the country roads this year. The council intends to use the limited funding they have towards filling in of pot holes. They will however deal with serious obstructions at road junctions. The reason for this decision is the large decrease in funding which the council hasreceived from central government this year.

Hydrology study of Claregalway and Oranmore Due to the increased flooding of lands in both the Claregalway and Oranmore area I proposed a motion at the council meeting in February 2007 that the Office of Public Works should be asked to carry out a hydrology study of both areas and this was passed by all the elected members of the council and the request was then sent to the Office of Public Works. It has taken until July 22nd. For the OPW to write and tell me that they would not be carrying out the hydrology study requested but that they would be carrying out a Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study the object of which is to assess and map flood hazard and risk and develop a Flood Risk Management Plan and manage the identified risks.

As usual I can be contacted any day or evening at 798136 or mobile 087-6360242 or you can e-mail me at jcuddy@cllr.galwaycoco.ie. JIM

ALL MEMBERSHIPSNo Registration Fee

A Free Sports Massage Membership from only €9 per week!

Escape Leisure, Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway

Tel: 091 738 220Email: info@escapeleisure.com

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Want to keep the kids amused for a day? Birthdays, christenings, communions, confirmations, bbq’s..etc

Giant slide also available

Contact Ronnie on 087 929 94 95

Carnmore Castles &Slides

Castles come with

side slide & raincovera

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A1

V2

E R3

S E4

A5

F F6

O R7

D

T8

A E X R I E A9

A10

I L M E N T B11

U Z Z A R D

R I K E O Z C O

G12

N A W I13

N C14

U R S15

H I P

E N B16

T17

A R O18

E T

T19

A T T O O20

B A21

B O D E S

R22

A D I A T E

R23

E L24

I E F N E25

S C A26

P E27

E I D B28

E D29

E V N

T30

I N T A31

L T A R L32

I A R

U K B33

I G S34

A I

R35

E A D I N G G36

E N E T I C

N G T H E U O H

C37

E M E N T R38

E G A R D

SOLUTION TO JULY / AUGUST CROSSWORD

A very good response.

The winner is Frank Thornton, Cregboy.

Congratulations Frank!

Simple one to celebrate the kids going back to school. Give it a go.

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33 34

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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)

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ACROSS DOWN1 Midpoint (6) 2 State of exalted delight (7)

5 Central (6) 3 Pneumatic car part (4)

10 Dais (7) 4 Stoat’s coat (6)

11 Enlist (7) 5 Kill (6)

12 Test (4) 6 Aquatic bird of Anatidae family (4)

13 Alphabetical list (5) 7 Wash (7)

15 Dutch cheese (4) 8 Passionate (6)

17 Organ (3) 9 Stubby (6)

19 Japanese car maker (6) 14 Temporarily blinded (7)

21 Forcefulness (6) 16 Walk noisily (5)

22 Astonishing (7) 18 Rage (5)

23 Abscond (6) 20 Measure of current (3)

25 Unravel the enigma (6) 21 Finish (3)

28 Writing instrument (3) 23 Stabbing knife (6)

30 Mammal of genus Capra (4) 24 Travesty (7)

31 Foot operated lever (5) 26 Ground oats (7)

32 Type of fastener (4) 27 Most senior (6)

35 Joyfulness (7) 28 Groundnut (6)

36 Small appliance (7) 29 Constantly scolded (6)

37 Capital of Lebanon (6) 33 Structure built over water (4)

38 Lives (6) 34 Rim (4)

NUACHT CHLÁIR SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD

Please send completed crosswords to: B.D. Place, Woodleigh, Cregboy, Claregalway.

NAME:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

First correct crosswordopened wins:

A Meal For Two atThe Claregalway Hotel

Brian Place,Crossword Editor

The GAA Club are delighted to announce details of their Festival Weekend which will be held on the weekend of 3rd & 4th Oct. The Club hopes to build on the success from last years event where all age

groups participated and enjoyed. Tickets will be available from Committee Members and Officials. Further information can be found on our website Claregalwaygaa.net or contact 087-2510233

Friday Teenage Disco 12 - 18 year olds

GAA Grounds

Saturday Underage Football BlitzBoys & Girls

Saturday Music & Entertainment

SaturdayUpdate on Development Plans

Saturday Family barbeque with fun &

games plus kids Disco