*Nora Casey, resident harpist at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, pictured with Bunratty Castle Entertainers. Photograph: Eamon Ward. COINCIDING with the sixtieth anniversary of the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, an inaugural two-day harp celebration will take place this weekend.
*Photograph: Joe Buckley NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS is gearing up for the return of the KMPG Women’s Irish Open with locals hopeful this time round the positive impact of the European Tour event will be visibly clear to see.
*Aideen Walsh and Áine Donegan. Photograph: John Mangan THOUSANDS of golf followers will descend on Dromoland Castle this weekend to witness many of the game’s leading female golfers compete for the Irish ladies open title with locals backing Clare duo Aideen Walsh and Áine Donegan.
*Leona Maguire teeing off in front of the iconic Dromoland Castle during the 2022 Irish Open. Photograph: Joe Buckley LEONA MAGUIRE is the home favourite for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open which returns to Dromoland Castle this week and she’s determined to give the strong support “as much to cheer about as possible”.
Mark Delaney under pressure from Daithi Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS recorded their third win in succession ahead of their already secured quarter-final while for Wolfe Tones it was a third defeat on the bounce ahead of their looming relegation battle.
*Wolfe Tones’ Kevin McCafferty. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WOLFE TONES are planning to use their final round clash with Newmarket-on-Fergus as a stepping stone towards their looming relegation battle.
*Photograph: Joe Buckley NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS will host the 19th Hole Community and Family Fun Festival when the Women’s Irish Open rolls into town at the end of August.
*Sean Rynne and Inagh/Kilnamona must defeat Kilmaley to keep their championship bid alive. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CALCULATORS will be at the ready with club officials and patrons at this weekend’s TUS Clare senior hurling championship games as score difference may be required to determine the final positions of teams in Groups 2 and 4.
THREE CLARE players who were part of the historic All-Island Cup success with Galway Utd have been the guests of honour at special homecoming events in the county over the past week.
*Keith Stritch. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Smith O’Briens, Corofin and Whitegate have edged closer to the play-offs in the intermediate hurling championship following round two victories over Tubber, Ruan and O’Callaghans Mills while Parteen/Meelick and Bodyke got their challenge for honours off to a winning start with victories over fancied Sixmilebridge and Tulla sides.