O’Callaghan delighted to prevail in ‘election dogfight’
*Alan O’Callaghan. Photograph: Eamon Ward Securing 326 extra first preference votes in the space of five years was ‘critical’ for Alan O’Callaghan in retaining his seat on the County Council.
No bingo in Doonbeg this Friday
With a great furore over a certain visitor to Doonbeg this week, there is confusion locally as to whether bingo will be going ahead as normal on Friday evening.
Tubridy hopeful Donald will pay him a visit during Doonbeg stay
*Tommy Tubridy. Photograph: Arthur Ellis It started with the trumpets for the 20th Doonbeg Jazz Festival and now this week the West Clare village welcomes the 45th President of the United States of America with restaurant owner and publican Tommy Tubridy noticing an increase in business since Donald Trump’s trip was announced.
McGettigan more disappointed with turnout rather than election result
*Donna Deirdre McGettigan. Photograph: Martin Connolly Eliminated on the third count of the local elections in the Ennis Municipal District, Donna Deirdre McGettigan was more downbeat with the 51 percent turnout in the constituency as opposed to the outcome.
Chambers excited by new-look County Council
*Bill Chambers and his grandson. Photograph: Martin Connolly He’s been an elected representative on Clare County Council since 1985 and Bill Chambers is looking forward to what the next term brings with his Fianna Fáil party adding young blood in the guise of Mark Nestor and Shane Talty.
Slattery defeat ‘takes gloss’ from otherwise fantastic campaign for Garrihy
*Joe Garrihy. Photograph: Martin Connolly Taking a seat on Clare County Council at the expense of Bill Slattery has taken a “huge gloss” off Joe Garrihy’s election success.
Trump to receive global petition with 104,000 signatures
*Doughmore Beach. Photograph: Arthur Ellis A petition containing over 104,000 signatures opposing the construction of coastal protection works at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland is to be delivered to US President Donald Trump when he arrives in Doonbeg.
Taoiseach ‘deeply hindered’ Fine Gael’s Clare candidates – Taylor
*Mike Taylor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Comments from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with suggestions of co-living by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy “deeply hindered” the prospects of Fine Gael candidates in Clare for the local elections according to one runner who felt his own liberal views decreased his West Clare vote.
Strong Independents took from Norton’s vote
*Ann Norton Having gone from being the first candidate home in 2014 to the receiving the lowest first preference of all successful Ennis Municipal District, it proved to be an emotional election for Ann Norton.
Will Wars: You can be part of the solution
We have all heard of turf wars but it’s worth acknowledging that Will wars also take place, writes Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors. I have over the last six months shared the Wisdom of Wills throughout Clare with the Clare Older People’s Council. Everyone I spoke with had heard of an acrimonious story in …