Latest news with #CountyClare
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Cliffs of Moher: Inquest told boy slipped in puddle and fell to his death
A 12-year-old boy fell to his death at Ireland's Cliffs of Moher after slipping in a puddle close to the edge, an inquest has Zhao was with his mother and her friends at the beauty spot on the County Clare coast on 23 July last year when he walked ahead of the group.A French tourist who witnessed him fall told Clare Coroner's Court she saw him slip and try to pull himself up by grasping at grass, before he disappeared over the edge. The coroner embraced Zhihan's distraught mother after recording a verdict of accidental death. Zhihan and his mother, Xianhong Huang, both Chinese nationals, had arrived in Ireland 12 days before his fatal fall. In her deposition, Ms Huang said that Zhihan was walking ahead of her on the Cliffs of Moher trail and she lost sight of him."My son walked very fast and was ahead of us by 50 metres," she said."As there was only one path, I thought we would meet him along the way. "When I didn't, I walked to the visitor centre and I checked the visitor centre."Unable to find him at the visitor centre, she returned to the path to search for him and when there was no sign of him, she reported him Huang said she last saw Zhihan at 13:00 that day and the court heard she provided gardaí (Irish police) with a photo of him she had taken earlier on the through an interpreter at the inquest in Kilrush, County Clare, Ms Huang, wiping away tears, asked: "What exactly caused Zhihan to fall from the cliffs?"Clare County Coroner Isobel O'Dea told the grieving mother that the evidence of an eyewitness would help answer that question. French tourist, Marion Tourgon, told the inquest she witnessed Zhihan falling over the edge at about 13:45 that Tourgon explained she was at the edge of the cliffs with her husband and two children and they were taking a selfie at the time. She describing seeing a young Asian boy, who was alone, come into view."I saw him slipping in the puddle that appears in the photo that my husband sent to the police," the witness said. "His right foot slipped into the puddle, with him trying to stop himself from falling with his left foot but his left foot ended up in the air."Ms Tourgon added: "It was very quick - he found himself in an awkward position with his left foot in a void over the cliff and his right knee on the edge of the cliff."She continued: "His right knee eventually fell into the void over the cliff and he was trying to grasp the grass with his hands to pull himself up. "He didn't shout and there was no noise."The Tourgon family then phoned the emergency air, land and sea search operation began involving the Irish Coast Guard, gardaí, and Irish civil defence volunteers who used boats, drones, divers and a helicopter. Five day search for missing boy A police witness, Garda Colm Collins, told the inquest he received a call at 14:00 that day after a male was seen falling off the edge of the Cliffs of Moher. He said that the Irish Coast Guard had spotted a body floating in the water at the base of the cliffs. The court heard a lifeboat was launched but it was was not able to access the site where the body was spotted due to the sea was another five days before Zhihan's body was eventually recovered from the boy was found by a fisherman, Matthew O'Halloran, from Corofin, County spotted a body facedown and arms extended in the water between Doolin and the Aran Islands shortly after 10:00 local time on 28 July 2024. Mr O'Halloran alerted the Irish Coast Guard and its members retrieved Zhihan's body and brought it ashore at coroner said post-mortem results had confirmed that Zhihan died from multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a fall from a height."It is clear from evidence we heard that Zhihan slipped off the cliffs rather than any other way. His death would have been very quick - instantaneous."Addressing the boy's mother, she said: "I can't imagine how upsetting this is for you."Ms O'Dea also extended her sympathies to Zhihan's father who was not present at the embraced Ms Huang as she left the coroner's accident was the second fatal fall at the Cliffs of Moher within a three-month period last year. In May 2024, a student in her 20s lost her footing while walking with friends and fell to her death. Since August last year, large sections of the Cliffs of Moher trail have been closed due to safety the time, the Clare Local Development Company confirmed that it was taking the action following the two fatal accidents.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tragedy as ‘bright & beautiful' runner, 24, dies during half marathon in Scotland
TRIBUTES have been paid to a "bright and beautiful" runner who tragically died during a Scottish half marathon. Olivia Tuohy, 24, sadly passed away after participating in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on Sunday, May 25. 2 The Irish national, from County Clare, was a student at Queen Margaret University on the outskirts of the capital. Her passing has shocked the tight-knit community in Ennis, where she hailed from. In a moving tribute, her heartbroken family said: "Olivia, a bright and beautiful spirit, passed away on 25 May while participating in the Edinburgh Half Marathon. "Olivia's bubbly personality and kind heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. "Olivia is survived by her heartbroken parents, Kieran and Liz; her brother Stephen and his partner Laura; her loving partner Michael and his parents Maria-Elena and Steven; her aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, and her friends both in Ireland and Edinburgh." Tragic Olivia was part of the Clare Ladies GAA football team. Her devastated teammates also paid tribute to their late colleague. They said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Olivia Tuohy. "Her kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched so many lives on and off the football field, and her absence will be felt profoundly. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, her partner, and all who loved her during this difficult time. May she rest in peace." The Banner Ladies football club, for whom she also played, said: "We wish to express our sadness at the passing of our friend and former teammate, Olivia Tuohy, daughter of Liz and Kieran. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, her brother Stephen, her partner Michael, and her family at this sad time. May her gentle soul rest in peace." A minute's silence was observed at all games in Clare yesterday. Olivia is survived by her heartbroken parents, Kieran and Liz; her brother Stephen and his partner Laura; and her partner Michael. No funeral arrangements have been announced as yet. However, the family has stated that donations, if desired, should be made to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
The Guardian
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘The soul of Irish traditional music': a musical journey through County Clare
A hilly lane curves round Bunratty Castle. Through an open window, I hear a harpist plucking notes at a banquet drifting as the sun sets low over the battlements. On the other side of the lane, smoke drifts from Durty Nelly's pub, where a singer is halfway through The Parting Glass. A short walk away, the limestone facade of the Creamery hints at its past lives – as a stagecoach stop, a dairy, a roadside inn. Tonight, it's a pub. Inside, Bríd O'Gorman plays the fluttering melody of The Cliffs of Moher on her flute, accompanied by Michael Landers on guitar – a quiet moment before the small crowd erupt into applause as Cian Lally pulls our pints. Just 10 minutes from Shannon airport, Bunratty village sits in the south-eastern corner of Ireland's most musical county. Along the bar, visitors from the US and France lean in, quietly captivated – likely having their first experience of an Irish music session. It's no coincidence that County Clare is the centre of Ireland's famous music scene. Clare is as close as any county comes to being an island. Hemmed in by the Atlantic on one side and the Shannon – the country's longest and widest river – on the other, it was, for centuries, a place almost adrift from the mainland. Until the 18th century, when bridges finally tethered it fully to the rest of the country, Clare was reached mostly by boat or by traversing the Burren's stony, unyielding landscape. That isolation also shaped Clare's culture. Beyond the reach of the capital, this corner of the west became a stronghold for language, music and tradition that flourished in the twilight on its own terms. You can feel that independence in villages along the coast, where the land abruptly falls into the sea at the Cliffs of Moher – or farther south, where Loop Head Peninsula stretches defiantly into the Atlantic, a windswept outpost that feels like the end of the world. Yet even within Clare, there are really two stories, as distinct as the landscapes from which they emerge. Draw a line from Bunratty, through the county town of Ennis, all the way to the northern tip of the county, and you'll see the divide. Locals speak not just of Clare, but of east Clare and west Clare – each with its own rhythm, character and musical soul. I catch Bríd as she packs away her flute, and the audience turn back to their conversations and pints. She knows this music intimately. A native of east Clare, she is a firm believer that the soul of Irish traditional music doesn't just echo through the well-trodden pubs of Gus O'Connor's or McGann's in west Clare's Doolin; it pulses quietly and powerfully through the hills, lakes, and tucked-away venues of the east. 'East Clare music has a character all of its own,' she tells me. 'It's known for being slow, expressive, understated – soulful, even. You hear it, and you can almost feel the landscape it comes from. The gentleness of the hills, the stillness of the lakes of east Clare – it's a stark contrast to the jagged landscapes of north and west Clare.' The east Clare landscape may have a soft lilt, but its voice carries enormous weight. The monastic ruins on Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) – a round tower and churches – lie just off Mountshannon on Lough Derg, often shrouded in mist. It's the final resting place of the great writer Edna O'Brien, a place where the sound of the breeze is carried through limestone walls with the same quiet dignity echoed in her prose. There's something about this part of Clare that holds on to the lyrical, whether it's in words or music. The land is lush and rolling, threaded with narrow roads and bright streams offering their own soft melody. At Quin Abbey, swallows call as they dart through the roofless cloisters, while in the pretty marina town of Killaloe, the cathedral bells mingle with the cry of gulls above the great lake. Like the land, the music isn't loud or dramatic, but quiet, confident, waiting for you to tune in. 'People often look north-west when they think of music in Clare – Doolin, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay,' says Bríd. 'But east Clare is just as alive. You just need to know where to look.' One such place is Feakle, a single-street hillside village lost in east Clare's brilliant green landscape. It was once home to the famous herbalist and wise woman Biddy Early. However, it's a 19th-century singer, Johnny Patterson, who is commemorated with a plaque in the village square. At a fork in the road on the village approach stands Pepper's Bar, a distinctive yellow-and-green vernacular building that has served the community since 1810. Its compact main room features a homely fireplace, dance-worn flagstone floors and low-hanging beams. On a Wednesday evening, the space fills with the pulse of jigs and reels performed on fiddle, bodhrán, tin whistle or accordion. The music is sometimes frenzied, hypnotic, even mesmerising: complex arrangements often delivered by some of the country's finest players, including Martin Hayes, Liam O'Flynn, Matt Molloy, Sharon Shannon and Kevin Crawford. It's in these east Clare villages, such as Feakle, Tulla or Scarriff, that you might realise you're the only one in the room who doesn't play, sing or dance. On Thursday nights, Ger Shortt of Shortt's Bar in the heart of Feakle picks up the guitar, joined by a full musical accompaniment. Meanwhile, it seems as if anyone not playing is likely taking part in the Siege of Ennis, a céilí dance performed with spirited energy. Farther afield, Irish-language sessions are held at Gallagher's in Kilkishen, while occasional music nights at Gleeson's in Sixmilebridge also contribute to the rich musical tapestry of east Clare. Even the Honk Bar – hidden away on a bramble-filled lane near Shannon airport, not far from where Johnny Fean, one of the founding members of Celtic rock band Horslips, grew up – is known to host the occasional session. But eventually, all musical roads lead to Ennis. 'It's the heartbeat of Clare's music scene,' Bríd says. 'There's a session most nights at Ciarán's, Knox's, Cruises, the Diamond, the Poet's Corner in the Old Ground, Nora Culligans. And don't forget PJ Kelly's – it's a great spot too.' Not every tune is played in a pub. 'One of my favourite places to play is Glór in Ennis,' Bríd adds. 'We run an open session there once a month – myself and Eoin O'Neill on bouzouki. It's in the foyer, free to all, and open to musicians of every age and level. It's spacious, welcoming and it's been running for years. People love it.' Ennis's music scene is among the richest in Ireland, thanks to its deep pool of local talent, lively pub culture and a spirit that blurs the line between performer and audience. Mike Dennehy, owner of the red-and-black-fronted Knox's Pub on winding Abbey Street, says: 'Knox's has a wealth of musicians of various styles from all over Clare playing daily. We're known not just for the quality, but for our open sessions, with up to 20 musicians at once.' The roll call of regulars reads like a Who's Who of traditional music. Ennis is home to globally in-demand players such as uilleann piper Blackie O'Connell, accordionist Murty Ryan and banjoist Kieran Hehir. One of the scene's crown jewels is Piping Heaven, Piping Hell, a weekly uilleann piping session hosted by Blackie O'Connell. 'It started as an afternoon session,' says Mike, 'and has become a weekly gathering of pipers from all over the world.' Held in Ciarán's and Lucas's pubs, it features a guest piper joining the regulars for an afternoon of music, laughter and storytelling. Ennis also plays a key role on the festival circuit, hosting Fleadh Nua in May and the Ennis Trad Fest in November – events that have drawn legends such as Moving Hearts, Sharon Shannon, Andy Irvine and Lankum, and cemented the town's status as a musical capital. The west Clare scene is more relaxed, more immediate, the music blending with the conversation, and one tune flows easily into the next. Events such as the Russell festival in Doolin kick off the year in February, and by July, the Willie Clancy summer school transforms peaceful Miltown Malbay into a bustling, welcoming village of sound. It's where my own daughter, Síofradh, honed her harp skills in a chaotic makeshift class. That's the thing about Clare. Whether it's a gentle melody in Bunratty, a fireside session in east Clare or the lively pull of Doolin, the music – and the welcome – are always there. Bunratty Manor has doubles from €119 and singles from €109, room-only. Clare Eco Lodge in Feakle has doubles from €90 and singles from €50, room-only
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Clare man (76) pleads guilty to assisting unlawful State entry of woman (22) he met online
A 76-year old County Clare man has pleaded guilty to assisting in the unlawful entry into the State in March of last year of a 22 -year old woman he met online. At Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday, Roger Bishop pleaded guilty to assisting the unlawful entry into the State offence at T1 at Dublin airport on March 1st, 2024, which is contrary to 6.1 of the Criminal Justice Smuggling of Persons Act 2021. Advertisement Mr Bishop was only returned to trial from the district court for the offence in April and entered his early plea of guilty on Tuesday to the offence. Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (Instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that the plea to the single count is acceptable to the DPP on a full facts basis. Ms Comerford said that a nolle prosequi will be entered in relation to a second charge - and this is where the State will not be proceeding with that charge. Counsel for Mr Bishop, Kenneth Kerins BL (instructed by solicitor, Colum Doherty) asked that the legal aid certificate be granted to cover a GP's report for the sentencing hearing and Judge Francis Comerford granted the application. Advertisement In March, Judge Gráinne Malone declined district court jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the facts in court from Det Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Declining jurisdiction, Judge Malone said: 'I appreciate that it is somewhat marginal but in all of the circumstances particularly the age discrepancy between the two and the element of preparing a fraudulent ID card I am refusing jurisdiction.' Giving an outline of the facts, Det Garda Barker stated that on March 1st, 2024, Mr Bishop travelled to Turkey where he met a female. She said: 'He purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted her in travelling to Dublin airport where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry. Advertisement Dt Garda Barker said: 'It was subsequently found that the French ID card was false in the name of the female. She is 22.' The nationality of the woman was not disclosed in court. Asked by Judge Malone how did Mr Bishop come to meet the woman who is 53 years younger than him, Det Barker said: 'They were in an online relationship.' Asked by Judge Malone where is she now, Det Garda Barker said: 'She subsequently claimed asylum. She attempted to leave the jurisdiction in May-June and Luxembourg returned her back to Dublin airport on the false French ID card she had gained entry with previously.' Advertisement Ireland Teen (17) guilty of using hammer and hatchet durin... Read More Asked by Judge Malone did Mr Bishop stand to make any financial gain, Det Barker said: 'No judge - she was culpable. She wanted to come to Ireland and she got in a relationship. He basically thought he was in a relationship with her but when she arrived here, it didn't go to plan.' Det Garda Barker said that 'it wouldn't be one of the more serious cases we have dealt with'. Det Garda Barker said that the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with in the district court. Judge Malone said that the DPP has the benefit of all of the papers in this case but said that she was refusing jurisdiction. Judge Comerford remanded Mr Bishop on bail to Ennis Circuit Court to May 30th to fix a date for sentence.
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What It Means To Be Wealthy In Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare is the in place to visit in Ireland in 2025. With its picturesque landscapes, and rich history and culture, Ireland has become a top destination for expats and travelers alike. But what does it mean being wealthy in Ireland? From average earnings and net worth to the cost of living and visa opportunities, understanding the Emerald Isle's wealth offers insight into its unique blend of tradition and modernity. After the last presidential election, internet searches by Americans for moving abroad surged, and many of these were on Ireland—unsurprising considering the strong links the U.S. has to the Emerald Isle. Ireland ranked number 23 in USA Today's ranking of the best countries in the world in 2024, primarily because of the friendliness of its people and its interesting Celtic heritage. Its quality of life and social purpose also ranks highly. Likewise, CNTraveler's readers adored the country in 2024, ranking it the 9th best country in the world, for its history, yes, but also for how it has embraced the tech giants in Dublin and opened the first new whiskey distillery in 125 years. Beyond the capital city, there are sceneries for every occasion from the Giant's Causeway to the Wild Atlantic Way, a 1600-mile drive down Ireland's western seaboard, that takes in Michelin-starred dining and eco hideaways alike. This western side of Ireland encompasses the coastline of County Clare. This place appears on CNTraveler's list of the best places to go in Europe in 2025 because it is reinventing itself as an eco-tourism destination. The Common Knowledge Center is a sprawling area of native forests and regenerative farmland where guests eat fresh bread from the sourdough bakery and munch on organic food prepared by an Ottolenghi-trained chef. Visitors can learn how to build furniture and drystone walls if they fancy. Then the only challenge is working out what to pack for the ever-changing weather, as delightful and atmospheric as the landscapes themselves. This Lonely Planet guide could help. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ranks its 38 member states across various economic, social, and environmental factors and finds that in Ireland, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is $29,488 a year, slightly lower than the OECD average of $30,490 a year. In the U.S., the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is $51,147 a year. A 2023 Euronews study compared earning averages for single people across the 27 EU member states and found that the average was $31,588 (€28,217) on a like-for-like basis, and for Ireland, the average annual net earnings for a single person without children was $48,306 (€43,151), higher than the EU average. As in many countries, it is also true that average earnings vary by region or county. Dublin has the highest median annual salaries, and in a report in 2024, the lowest salaries were in Donegal. The cost of living in Ireland is on a par with the U.S., the U.K., and Germany, but approximately 2.5% higher than in France. The cost for a single person per month, not including rent, is as follows: However, the situation is slightly different when you factor in rent because in Ireland, the rent is almost 100% higher than in France, but about the same as the average U.S. rent. Groceries, however, are more expensive in the U.S. at about 15% higher than in Ireland. Most of Ireland's top 1% of earners live in its capital, Dublin. The Household Finance and Consumption Survey, 2020, published in 2022, said that the top 10% of wealthy households have more than approximately $881,00 (€788,400) in net wealth. In contrast, the lowest 10% of households have around $111 (€100) in net wealth. The median gross wealth was just under €300,000 (€265,100). As the Washington Post says, it can be expensive and complicated going "full expat" in any country, and many people do a dummy run by visiting a country first, using a golden passport or digital nomad visa. If you want to live in Ireland, you must first secure a work permit to apply for either a short-term or long-term visa, and you will jump to the top of the queue if you work in specific fields in high demand, like healthcare and farming. In contrast, a general work permit is available for positions with a minimum salary of €30,000 (around $32,000), though this doesn't cover every type of job. Wealthy individuals and some retirees who meet income criteria can also pursue residency through other paths. Additionally, U.S. citizens who are students or recent graduates may qualify for a year-long working holiday in Ireland. You might be eligible for Irish citizenship if you have an Irish-born grandparent. Being wealthy in Ireland means more than financial stability; embracing a high quality of life, cultural richness, and a strong sense of community. With competitive salaries, a reasonable cost of living, and opportunities for expats through visas, Ireland offers a compelling lifestyle for those seeking to live abroad. Whether you're drawn by its stunning landscapes, thriving cities, or welcoming people, the Emerald Isle remains a destination worth exploring for those looking to redefine wealth and success.
