Gearing Up For Show
The Corofin Show Society has been very active in recent weeks as they put the final preparations in train for the annual North Clare Show which takes place in the village on Saturday week July 27th. Show secretary, Mary McMahon, is advising anyone who has yet to place an entry in any of the many classes that they must do so before this week-end. She can be contacted on 065-6837795 or 086-3769791. There will be 19 show jumping classes to be decided with the first competition getting under way at 9.30am. There will be all of the usual classes for horses, ponies, cattle and sheep while other classes including the very popular dog show will be going on throughout the day. A big entry is also expected for the indoor classes with extra poultry classes added for this year. Baking, flowers, crafts, art and photography as well as children’s classes will also feature. The organisers are hoping that the recent spell of good weather will hold to ensure a bumper crowd at this year’s event.
Heartache for Burren
There was a great turn-out for the All Ireland Tug O War championships held in Corofin on Sunday last with clubs from all over Ireland making sure that the event was a really competitive and colourful occasion. In addition to the men’s competitions there were also ladies and u-23 titles to be decided. There was heartache for the local Burren Club which had to settle for the silver medals in the final of the 640kg class losing out once again to the Offaly team Boyneside. As expected the senior title came down to the class sides of Boley of Wexford and Lakehill of Mayo with the Wexford-men triumphant. In the 680 novice class The Shop from Tipperary defeated Cluanraithe from Cork. Overall it was a great event for the village with local businesses benefiting from the influx of visitors while the organisers were high in their praise of the excellent facilities available at the Pairc Finne venue.
Dramatic Society
Corofin Dramatic Society held its Annual General Meeting last week and reviewed a very successful year in which the local club reached the All Ireland Open Drama finals in Athlone for the second successive year and claimed two national awards in the process. Director John Clancy and his cast and crew were praised for their great achievements throughout the season. Willie Lahiffe was re-elected President while Martin O’Donohue took over the role of Chairman from Pat O’Reilly. Pat was thanked for the work he had done as Chairman and in his address he acknowledged the huge progress which the society had made in recent years. Alan McGuire is the new Vice Chair while Carol Andrews and Mary O’Donohue continue as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Maura Clancy takes on the role of Festival Secretary with Eileen Lahiffe as Assistant. Rona Lyons and Sandra Cox are the club’s joint PROs.
Visit Corofin
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Joe Arkins officially launched the new tourism website www.visitcorofin.com at a function at the Inchiquin Inn on Friday night last. There was an excellent turn-out of locals and visitors for the social occasion to mark the launch. Pauline Bradley, co-ordinator of the Corofin Tourism Association gave a brief account of the aims of the group and outlined their achievements since they were formed in early 2012. Miranda Hearne of Gecko Design & Marketing who designed the website explained the features on the site and encouraged all local businesses to get involved in the promotion of the area.
Fascinating Fossils
On Monday 22nd July a free kids art event ‘Fascinating Fossils’ will take place at the Burren National Park Information Point in Corofin from 11.00am to 12.00 noon as part of the children’s education series at the centre. They will be encouraged to make their own fossils and learn all about the fossil creatures. Meanwhile on Sunday 21st July the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be providing a free guided walk along the Green Trail in the Burren National Park. The meeting point is at the Crag Road at 14.20. This is to the summit of Mullaghmore along the eastern side, and back down the same way to the Crag Road. It will take approximately 3 hrs. If you would like to avail of the free National Park bus service, the bus leaving the Information Point in Corofin at 14.00 will take you to the starting point. On Wednesday 24th July they will be providing a free guided walk along the Orange Trail in the Burren National Park. Meet at the Mullaghmore Crossroads, Gortlecka, at 11.30. The free bus service will leave the Information Point in Corofin at 11.15 and will arrive at the crossroads at 11.30. The walk will last approximately 1.5 hrs.
Harps Officers
A number of important decisions were taken at the Annual General Meeting of Corofin Harps held on Friday evening last. Firstly it was agreed that the junior and schoolboy’s clubs would operate as one for the coming season. It was also agreed to enter a B team for next season which would in effect be a reserve team for the A team which will compete in the Premier Division of the Clare League for 2013 – 14. It was agreed to work with schoolboy teams at u-7, u-9 and u-11 and coaches have already been identified to work with these sides, while it was also decided to enter an u-13 side in Clare Schoolboy competitions for the coming season. Gerry Halpin will continue as Chairman for next season with Martin Tierney as Vice Chair. Steve Kent is the new club secretary while the position of Treasurer will be filled before the next meeting which is scheduled for Friday July 26th. Tommy Molloy will be the club representative at both Junior and Schoolboy level with the Clare leagues.