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Mid-West Region Will Celebrate Easter At Bunratty & Craggaunowen.

More than 15,000 people from counties Tipperary, Clare and Limerick’s Mid-West Region are expected to pass through the gates of Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.

Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers will be judging the Easter Bonnet Competition at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter.

The popular County Clare visitor attractions are hosting a comprehensive programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s Easter events will be held on Friday, April 18th, Saturday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 20th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

The public is invited to step back in time with reenactors from Clan Life and Tercio Irlanda, who will bring 16th-century Gaelic Ireland to life, through engaging displays and talks on the era’s chieftains, warriors, and culture.

The traditional skills of the past will also be on display. Visitors will be able to witness the art of traditional Irish ironworking with live blacksmith demonstrations, showcasing the history and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

At 2.00 p.m. daily, the Bean an Tí will showcase the art and traditions behind Irish baking as the aroma of freshly baked griddle bread fills the interior of the Golden Vale Farmhouse.

Easter Bunny & Chick will be appearing at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen this Easter.

Along with getting the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and Chick, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment throughout the visitor attraction, as well as live traditional Irish music.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is calling all young designers aged 12 and under to showcase their creativity using recycled or upcycled materials in the Easter Bonnet Competition. The judges, Lady Longbottom and Madame Bloomers, will announce the winning bonnets and hats on the village street at 2.30 p.m.

The Wobbly Circus will keep visitors entertained outside the Tea Rooms with a showcase of fire-juggling, unicycling and circus skills, while Garry Rossiter will be combining juggling, comedy, audience participation and danger through knife juggling, fire eating and stilt walking.

Guests can hop on the Bunratty Express and travel through the Folk Park past the elegant Georgian design of Bunratty House and the reconstructed Ardcroney Church, and through the Fairy Trail, woodland trails and paddocks, with their vast array of indigenous Irish animal species from Kerry Bog Ponies to Irish Red Deer and Bunratty’s resident Irish Wolfhounds Rian and Mide. The 10-minute train ride departs from the Red Barn, located behind Mac’s Pub, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

A fun and interactive Clue Trail, designed for younger visitors and their families, will lead participants through the folk park’s scenic woodland trails. Along the way, they will meet lively characters such as Mike the Seanchaí, the School Master, and the Village Policeman, all while uncovering fascinating stories from Ireland’s past.

Ms Marie Brennan (Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park), said, “The Easter bank holiday weekend will be filled with various family-friendly activities and entertainment suitable for all ages. Visitors can expect a diverse range of attractions, including circus performances, storytelling sessions, train rides and living history reenactments. The programme aims to offer a blend of fun and educational experiences and is an opportunity for everyone to join us in a true Easter celebration.”

The Easter Bunny makes a quick leap from Bunratty to Craggaunowen, where more exciting activities await on Easter Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tony Baloney will entertain with his puppet show, while The Wobbly Circus provide fire-juggling, unicycle and circus tricks.

Craggaunowen will celebrate Ireland’s ancient crafts with talented artisans hosting woodworking, blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations.

There will also be an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at the popular East Clare visitor attraction, which has undergone significant investment and upgrades during the past year.

See www.bunrattycastle.ie and www.craggaunowen.ie for Easter Event 2025 ticket details. Early booking is advised.

Beardy Buck In A Long White Gown.

The great Leitrim native Seamus O’Rourke, writer, director, actor, poet and independent producer (Big Guerilla Productions) has a chance meeting with “The Beardy Buck in the Long White Gown”.

Look out for that “Buck in the Long White Gown”.☻☻

Former Tipperary Native & Financial Advisor Jailed For Six Years.

A former Tipperary native and financial advisor now residing at Richmond Avenue, Dartry, Dublin 6, who lost around €2 million of property investors’ funds in unauthorised stock market transactions has been jailed for six years.

Aged 52 years Mr William Kiely appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year, but changed his plea to guilty on the 21st day of his trial. He pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly appropriating money from the accounts of Barrington Capital Ltd, between 2007 and 2010. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the theft involved $1.47 million and around €700,000.

Mr Kiely also pleaded guilty to knowingly carrying on the business of a company, (Barrington Capital Limited), with intent to defraud creditors between July 2008 and February 2010. He further pleaded guilty to falsifying a financial statement on March 12th, 2010.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Kiely set up a legitimate investment operation, the aforementioned Barrington Capital Ltd, to purchase commercial property in the United States of America. Following the 2008 global financial crash, he failed to return all of the money which had been intended to purchase property; instead and without investor authorisation used some of it on the stock market, which was unsuccessful.

Having heard the facts of the case on Friday last, Judge Elma Sheahan stated that Mr Kiely had a high degree of culpability; the financial losses they suffered and the impact on their emotional well-being were all aggravating factors in the case and the harm caused to the injured parties was truly significant. The court heard that much of the funds went towards lifestyle expenses unrelated to the business and Kiely had also paid himself an amount each month. Mr Kiely also falsified a financial statement back in March 2010, which set out expenses on the account and what was left, however, at this point the funds were completely depleted.

Mr Kiely received a six year jail sentence and has also been automatically disqualified from serving as a director of any company for five years.

Death Of John Keane, Formerly Thurles, Co Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 5th April 2025, of Mr John Keane, Hazel House, BallyBeg, Ennis, Co. Clare;, late of Lahinch Rd, Ennistymon, Co. Clare and formerly of Kilcommon, Thurles Co Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his brothers Bill, Donal and sister Mary; Mr Keane passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at the Galway Clinic.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Marian, daughter Amanda, son Jack, son-in-law Neil and daughter-in-law Jennifer, cherished grandchildren Ian, Dylan and Aoibh, sisters Nancy, Joan and Kathleen, nieces, nephews and extended extended relatives, neighbours, colleagues, friends and faithful walking companion Misty.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Keane will repose at the Cullinan & Nestor Funeral Home, Church St, Ennistymon, Co Clare, on Monday evening, April 7th, from 6:30pm until 8:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of Our Lady and St Michael, Ardnacullia North, Ennistymon. on Tuesday morning, April 8th at 11:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by a private Cremation Service at Shannon Crematorium, Illaunmanagh, Shannon, Co. Clare, (Eircode V14 PV30).

For those persons who wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Keane, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE

The extended Keane family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Clare Cancer Support, Sláinte an Chlair.

We hold you close within our hearts,
And there you shall remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives,
Until we meet again.

Death Of Seán Carew, Formerly Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Friday 4th April 2025, of Mr John (Seán) Carew, (retired Airport Police Shannon), Coill Mhara, Shannon, Co. Clare and formerly of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Mr Carew passed away peacefully at Cahercalla Community Hospital, Ennis, Co. Clare, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; wife Mary Anne (née Bowe, Leigh, Two Mile Borris, Thurles), daughters Sharon (Delahunt), Andrea and Caroline (Murphy), sons-in-law Paul, Cathal and Rory, grandchildren Greg, Colin, Oisín, Evan, Sam and Hannah, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Carew will repose at Mahons Funeral Home, Ballycasey, Shannon, Co. Clare on Sunday afternoon, April 6th from 4:00pm until 5:30pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St John and St Paul, Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Co. Clare, on Monday morning, April 7th, to further repose for funeral Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment afterwards in Illaunmanagh Cemetery, Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Co. Clare.

For those persons who wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Carew, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Carew family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donation in lieu, if desired, to Cahercalla Community Hospital.