The Clare Echo 11/04/24

SHANNON MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MULCAHY

Green light for €1.2bn data centre

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

THE €1.2bn Ennis Data Centre has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanala, with up to 450 full-time jobs set to be created when the centre is fully operational.

Applicants Art Data Centres Ltd said the construction phase will see up to 1,200 jobs created in addition, which will take up to six years to complete.

However local members of the Green Party have told The Clare Echo they are “shocked” by the decision to green light the contentious project.

Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) told The Clare Echo, “If this data centre was to go ahead, it would use all the available electricity for Ennis for 15 years, no new hous-

ing, no EV chargers, no new jobs outside of the few involved in the DC. Nothing but carbon emissions. This isn’t in line with the government data centre policy”.

Party colleague Bridget Ginnity (GP) who is running as a local election candidate in the Ennis Municipal District said she was “shocked” with An Bord Pleanála granting permission. “It’s important to remember that this project came about as part of the Ennis 2040 Strategy, where this was identified as a transformational project. I don’t think the Council intended to transform us into a major climate black spot, but that is what will happen. Why did the council not listen to reasonable, scientifically strong submissions but continued to pursue this monstrous project”.

Full Story page 11

Continue your preference for Cllr. John Crowe, Val Gillane, Seán Kelly MEP and John Mullins

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

l Victorious Clare captain Conor Cleary

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 25-YEAR old Shannon man who survived a murder attempt on his life has escaped jail after he told a judge that he was carrying around a Stanley knife in his local town for his own protection.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett told Danny Harty Jnr of Inis Eagla, Shannon that he was “within a hair’s breadth of going to jail’ before imposing a suspended two month prison term for the unlawful possession of the Stanley knife at Tullyvarraga, Shannon on Monday evening, April 8th.

After Judge Gabbett imposed the suspended prison term, Mr Harty said to Judge Gabbett: “Can I say one thing before I go - thank you very much.”

Mr Harty told Judge Gabbett: “You are the nicest judge I have come across and I appreciate that.” Mr Harty told Judge Gabbett that he was carrying around the knife “because I was scared”.

Mr Harty said “I apologise Judge.”

Mr Harty’s solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick said that Mr Harty was the victim of a shooting and Judge Gabbett remarked that Mr Harty is the man “who hid behind the wall in Sixmilebridge when the gun went ‘yak, yak, yak’”.

Judge Gabbett said to Mr Harty: “Aren’t you lucky you got behind the wall?”

At the Central Criminal Court last October, Tony McInerney (28), formerly of Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Harty at Pound St, Sixmilebridge on January 18, 2020 over an alleged drug debt.

The Central Criminal Court heard “wild west stuff” had happened that night in Sixmilebridge, with people hiding behind walls and cars.

Concerning the knife charge, Mr Fitzpatrick said: “It wasn’t that Mr Harty was out in public and he was wielding this knife or in pursuit of anyone - it was for his own protection.”

Mr Harty pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of the knife contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and to being drunk in a public place.Mr Harty has previous convictions and Mr Fitzpatrick said that since Mr Harty has come out of prison he has been welcomed back into the family home and he wasn’t previously. Mr Fitzpatrick said that if Mr Harty steps out of line that door will shut and Mr Harty knows that. Judge Gabbett said that he was concerned over the drunk in a public place charge and Mr Fitzpatrick said that Mr Harty has been approved for admission to a treatment centre.

Remembering Mikey in Whitegate Neasa Fahy, Tori Minogue and Eva Madden at the memorial for Mikey Hynes in Whitegate Photo by Ruth Griffin

‘Young drivers are the problem’

SIXTY-one people have been killed so far on Irish roads this year yet Clare County Council does not have a road safety officer, it emerged this week.

An increase in road deaths in Ireland since before the pandemic is the worst in the EU, preliminary data from the European Commission has detailed. Ireland is also among a minority of countries where road deaths increased last year relative to 2022.

Across the EU as a whole there was a 1%

fall in road deaths last year, with the Commission warning that progress was “stalling” in “too many countries”. The trend in Ireland was among the worst, with a 19% increase in road deaths here last year, when 184 people lost their lives, a large majority of them men. This was 33% higher than before the pandemic in 2019. To date in 2024, 61 people have been killed on Irish roads. In Clare, the position of road safety officer has not been filled by Clare County Council for a number of years, the exact length that this has been vacant has not been clarified

by the local authority at the time of going to print.

Speaking this week, Director of Physical Development with the Council, Alan Farrell explained that the local authority does “have a person that carries out the duty of the road safety officer”.

He said the Council could review filling a dedicated road safety officer post. At Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) proposed that the Minister for Education, Norma Foley (FF) “include road safety on the curriculum at all levels of education in the county”.

He said, “unfortunately it is all young people that have been killed in recent road accidents”. The Cratloe man equated giving “a child a loaded shot gun” as cases of young people getting behind the wheel of a car. “Unfortunately getting behind the wheel of a car with loaded cars is leading to tragedy,” he lamented.

“Quite a lot of young people don’t realise the danger that is there,” the former Mayor of Clare flagged. He said only TY students are taught the rules of the road in the Irish education system.

Issues relating to those driving e-scooters were flagged by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) when she seconded the motion. She referenced how catchy slogans and visual adverts are effective in learning the rules of the road.

Lisdoonvarna based Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) stated, “We’ve all seen the turn on the trend of road safety in recent years, have been on very positive trajectory but something has happened, you are in charge as Cllr Ryan has said of a lethal weapon, it is a lifelong learning issue, I could do with a revisit on my driving habits myself”. He suggested starting

as young as creches, “it needs to become an automatic approach in how we conduct ourselves in walking, driving or cycling. Doing it in TY or one year is no good, it needs to be a continual phase of engagement”.

Twenty one years ago, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy’s (FF) brother Jarlath was killed when walking on the road “through no fault of the driver, my brother had no hi-vis jacket on a dary windy night and the worst happened,” she recalled. The Quin native insisted, “we all have to check ourselves sometimes, you might answer a call without being connected to audio of the car, with these phones we can be reckless when driving a car and our attention is diverted”.

Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) proposed that the Council fill the vacancy of road safety officer. Cllr Mary Howard (FG) stated, “Since January, 61 people have died on our roads, that is made up of quite a few young people, we all remember the Friday evening when they were killed in Tipperary”.

According to Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) “young people totally ignore the rules of the road”. This prompted Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) to remark, “Thank God the older drivers aren’t being targeted today” and he said more than education is needed to tackle the issue. Cllr John Crowe (FG) said “traffic on roads has gone completely out of control”.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) commented, “61 people dying is 61 too many”. He added, “I’ve seen cars heading for Lissycasey, once you get there people slow down to 30, because the speed van is generally there, I don’t know if PJ Kelly has them there but it is the one village in this county that I go into where I always slow down”. He stated, “the young lads are not educated”.

‘No

shovels will be in the ground in Broadford or Cooraclare by next election’ predicts TD

A CLARE TD has said predicted no shovels will be in the ground for wastewater systems in Broadford and Cooraclare before the General Election.

Broadford and Cooraclare were finally included in the €50 million rural wastewater collection and treatment scheme with a long-awaited announcement made by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien (FF) in December.

Despite Minister O’Brien making this announcement in December, Clare County Council only received official notification from the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the successful applications for Broadford and Cooraclare under Measure A8 of the Rural Water Programme on February 7th.

In this correspondence, the Department requested additional programming, technical and project governance information from Clare County Council regarding the schemes.

The Council is currently preparing this information which must be returned to the Department by May 10th. Upon receipt of this information the Department have indicated that they will arrange a

dedicated meeting to work through the steps required to successfully deliver these projects.

Senior officials in the Council have said it is “premature at this stage to provide an outline timeframe for the project delivery until further discussions have taken place with the relevant stakeholders which include Uisce Éireann”.

Both villages are waiting over four decades to have a sewerage scheme. They were both included in the new pilot, the details of which were first announced in April 2022, a further 20 months followed before successful applicants were confirmed.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) said he was “very concerned with the timelines becoming apparent on this. The Minister made an announcement on this on December 7th with a lot of fanfare and it followed many false dawns yet it took his Department a full two months to write to Clare County Council to tell them what they had already announced to the media”.

Deputy McNamara felt it was “bizarre” that the Department have requested the Council to be requesting project governance information “given it is the local authority doing the project and that they were

shovel ready projects, they were ready for the works to commence,

there is no firm timeline on when the Department will report on the information they receive from the local authority”. Scariff native McNamara said of the delays, “It is more about getting politicians through the election season locally and nationally than delivering the schemes. I see no firm commitment to deliver anything on this, by dragging it out the two months to write to Council and to give them three months to write back, it will be enough to get some candidates back from the local elections. Inevitably there will be a meeting in autumn some time but nothing will have commenced so people will get off the hook for the General Elections. I fear that at the end of the next General Election there will be no shovels in the ground and Broadford and Cooraclare will be no closer to having a wastewater scheme”.

Deputy McNamara confirmed he has yet to decide if he is running for the European elections himself. “I have had discussions with colleagues in Leinster House and with my supporters in Co Clare but I’m going to have to decide pretty soon”.

When asked if he has set himself a deadline to make such a decision, Deputy McNamara replied, “We’re approaching a time for rubber to hit the road”. l

WAITING: Michael McNamara TD (IND)

lROAD SAFETY: Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) Photo by Natasha Barton

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

St Francis Credit Union has reached a remarkable milestone with their loan book surpassing €80 million in loans to members.

This achievement is a testament to the trust and confidence members place in St Francis Credit Union, and it underscores the vital role the Credit Union plays in the financial well-being of the community it operates in.

Unlike traditional banks, the credit union is driven by a people-first philosophy, where every decision made is guided by the best interests of their members.

Hitting the €80 Million loan book is an incredible achievement that is not just a number but it also represents trust members put in the credit union to manage their funds.

St Francis Credit Union hits a new milestone.

Louis Fay CEO St Francis Credit Union said: “One of the key benefits of being a member with us here at St Francis Credit Union is the personalised service and attention members receive.

While we strive to bring a new digital era with our online offering along with our recently introduced Current Account & Debit Card service we are acutely aware of the importance our one to one engagement means to our members and I certainly believe we have got the balance right”.

As a member-owned cooperative, the credit union operates with a different set of values.

The focus is on creating value for the member which means competitive loan rates, Insurance

Benefits, Online & Mobile App service along with a member focused ethos.

As a Not-for-Profit organisation the main source of income for St Francis Credit Union is through their Loan offering and Investments to ensure the smooth running of the Credit Union.

Members are not customers they are valued memberowners with a voice on how the credit union operates.

St Francis Credit Union CEO Louis Fay

Damien Browne Lending & Business Development Manager said: “As we celebrate this milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of our members. Your trust and loyalty inspire us to continue striving for excellence and to remain steadfast in our mission of empowering our community through financial stability and opportunity.

We understand that financial needs vary from person to person, which is why we take the time to listen and tailor solutions that fit your unique circumstances”.

St Francis Credit Union offer loans to members from Home Improvements, to Car Loans & Holiday to Education Loans.

As a credit union they not only offer loans but so much more including payroll deductions.

The credit union is one of the top employers in Clare with 50 staff St Francis Credit Union

St Francis Credit Union, a financial home supporting you every step of the way. #supportlocal

Clare`s Leading Credit Union

Damien Browne Lending & Business Development Manager

Staff are ‘burnt out’

MINISTER for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) has said reconfiguration of health services in the Mid-West has not worked and said nurses and doctors at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are “burnt out”.

Protesters from the Mid-West Hospital Campaign were present at UHL when Minister Donnelly conducted a visit to the region’s main hospital. He carried out an unannounced inspection on Wednesday night before visiting the facility again on Thursday where he met with senior officials.

Notably, CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan was not present when Minister Donnelly and the HSE’s CEO Bernard Gloster addressed the media in Dooradoyle.

UHL’s trolley crisis will not be alleviated until consultants become more visible on the floor of the hospital’s overwhelmed emergency department and engage with management on the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC), the Health Minister said.

More support from senior clinical decision makers on site is needed for “burnt out” nurses and doctors, the Minister flagged.

Patient deaths has put UHL under increasing spotlight, Minister Donnelly admitted “the current situation here (at UHL) is not tolerable and not acceptable”. The Wicklow TD refused to comment “on any individual” when asked if he was confident in the management of UL Hospitals Group.

Details of an unpublished internal report into the death of Shannon man Martin Abbott left the Minister “very concerned”. He had

been left dead on the floor of the UHL ED for over an hour before his body was noticed by staff. The report “catalogued a series of failures” in Mr Abbott’s care and “also called out the fact that solutions to overcrowding which have worked in other hospitals have yet to be seen here (in UHL)”. The Minister added, “What happened was not acceptable. It shouldn’t have happened”.

HSE boss Bernard Gloster added that “there are several families for whom there is upset and distress about their experiences of healthcare in this region”. He said he expected that an ongoing investigation by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke into the death of 16-yearold UHL patient Aoife Johnston, who waited for care for sepsis for 12 hours on a trolley before her death from bacterial meningitis, would be completed in May. “Regardless of any findings, we would never want those outcomes for people and we are exceptionally sorry that that has been their experience and that is what happened”.

On increasing capacity, Minister Donnelly said an additional 86 beds, including 16 rapid-build beds at UHL, 50 step-down beds in Nenagh, and 20 community healthcare beds in Clare, would be provided ahead of an expected winter surge of patients to try to help alleviate pressure on patients and staff. A 96-bed block presently under construction on the grounds of UHL is to open in 2025 and a second 96-bed block will also come on stream,.

“In order for this to work, we have to see reform in the hospital.

Limerick has one the lowest uptakes of the new Public Only Consultant Contract, the level of week-

Minister measures are ‘sticking plasters’

MEASURES announced for more beds in Nenagh and Ennis to alleviate pressure on University Hospital Limerick have been labelled as “a package of sticking plasters”, writes Páraic McMahon.

During a visit to UHL, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) said an additional 86 beds, including 16 rapid-build beds at UHL, 50 step-down beds in Nenagh, and 20 community healthcare beds in Clare, would be provided ahead of an expected winter surge of patients to try to help alleviate pressure on patients and staff.

A 96-bed block presently under construction on the grounds of UHL is to open in 2025 and a second 96-bed block will also come on stream,. Responding to the measures, the Mid-West Hospital Campaign said that it welcomed any measure, “no matter how small”, that helped alleviate the dangerously overcrowded conditions in UHL. The campaign welcomed the new “GP on the door services” in the emergency department, describing the service as quite successful where it operates in the NHS in sending patients on to more effective pathways and easing the congestion in emergency departments.

end discharge is not where it needs to be,” he told reporters gathered at the hospital.

He acknowledged that many consultants are working night and day to help tackle patient flow, but said he expected more to be “rostered on site, in the emergency department and throughout the hospital, after hours and at weekends. I’ve been very clear with the management team that what I, and the government, and the people in the region, now need to see is a step change in the leadership from the senior clinical community in this hospital so that we can drive down the trolleys”.

Minister Donnelly pointed out, “UHL ranks nineth in the country for weekend discharges, that must improve, and there will be a progression to immediate rostering over six and where contractually possible seven days”. He said UHL remained a “significant outlier, as they have seen about the same increase in presentations, but rather than a fall in trolleys they have seen a 50 per cent increase”.

Representatives of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign (MWHC) made their presence known at UHL as they led the call for the reopening of emergency departments in Nenagh, Ennis, and St John’s hospitals, which were closed and reconfigured to UHL in 2009.

On this, Minister Donnelly admitted that reconfiguration had not worked as it was not properly resourced. “It was not done properly, what should have happened here (at UHL) is this kind of investment should have happened first, so that this hospital had the capacity it needed to take on all those extra patients. That didn’t happen and that’s what we are now rectifying”.

paign claimed that some of the measures had been tried already, such as the weekend rostering of consultants, but with little lasting effect and that other measures, such as the re-opening of the Minor Injury Units on a 24 hour basis, had already been announced previously.

Ennistymon woman, Marie McMahon said comparisons from Minister Donnelly were “disingenuous”. She flagged, “Waterford has a Model 4 hospital, but also has access to 4 model 3’s and 1 model 4 (Cork) in under an hour. Mullingar has a Model 3 hospital and seven emergency departments within an hour’s travel time. Beaumont is a Model 4 hospital and similarly has the support of seven hospitals with emergency departments within an hour’s distance.”

However, the campaign went on to describe the measures announced by the Minister as “sticking plasters, and re-used sticking plasters at that.” The cam-

“So while the suite of measures may be successful in areas that are well serviced by other hospitals, the Midwest remains the only region in the country without a Model 3 hospital and serviced by a single Model 4 hospital. This is the demonstrably overstretched UHL, which provides the only emergency department to cater for 420,000 people. Until such a time as the Minister accepts this reality and stops spinning, it’s clear that very little will actually change,” Marie added.

Mid-West Hospital Campaign will be holding a ‘drive to save lives’ this Saturday.

'Inevitable we will get another ED’

A CLARE TD has said it is inevitable that an additional accident and emergency department will be needed in the Mid-West, writes Páraic McMahon

Since the downgrading of Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals in 2009, just one A&E has served the counties of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) (inset) stated, “With a population of half a million people all funnelled through one A&E department, I believe it’s inevitable with the expected population rises over the coming years, that an additional A&E department is required here.

“At the moment, Dublin with a population of 1 million people is served by eight A&E departments. Our region, comprising of Clare, Limerick and Tipper ary, has a population half that size with just one A&E. Day after day, the limitations of UHL’s A&E are being evidenced. Whilst there are many positive things happening at UHL each day, there’s no escaping the

fact that lives are needlessly being lost and many patients are having negative outcomes. None of the blame can be laid on the incredible nurses, doctors and healthcare assistants who are being extremely overworked,” the Meelick native said.

He described the 2009 move to downgraded Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals as “a woeful political decision” and one that “has haunted our region every day since”.

On Monday, members of the Oireachtas Health Committee including Deputy Crowe and Senator Martin Conway (FG) met senior HSE management including Bernard Gloster, Sandra Broderick and Professor Colette Cowan at UHL.

Deputy Crowe outlined, “The subject of Ennis General Hospital repeatedly came up during this meeting and all of the medical professionals present agreed that it would be unsafe to immediately reopen an A&E in Ennis, because the hospital lacks permanent bed space along with clinical capacity,” he concluded.

lHEALTH MATTERS: Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly visited University Hospital Limerick (UHL) where he met with management, including Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick and the Health Service Executive (HSE) CEO Bernard Gloster

Photo by Don Moloney by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

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Council chiefs ‘prohibited from discussing’ Francis St demolition

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SENIOR officials in Clare County Council refused to be drawn on who carried out the demolition works on Francis Street for the county’s first affordable housing scheme.

As first reported by The Clare Echo last month, Clare County Council applied for a Section 179A planning exemption which enabled the granting of planning permission without any submissions from the public or elected representatives to begin knocking the row of cottages on Francis Street in Ennis.

In October 2022, the Council acquired the block of six cottages. Initially the Council had intended knocking the cottages to build a temporary car park at a fee estimated to be €1.1m. These plans were later scrapped following public campaigns with the site to now become the county’s first affordable housing scheme with 39 apartments to be built.

At the March meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) clashed with the Director of Services, Carmel Kirby when he claimed that demolition works had commenced “without planning permission”. She assured elected members that the correct process has been followed by Clare County Council. “The affordable housing scheme needs to be completed by the end of 2025, it was always planned we’d carry out the works as quickly as possible”.

On Monday March 4th, the High Court was notified of a judicial review on the application. In response, Cllr Flynn highlighted, “normal practice is works don’t proceed until there is a decision on a legal case”. Kirby stated that enabling works started prior to this and legal advice had yet to be received following the High Court hearing.

This activity prompted Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) to describe the Council as “the dodgiest of dodgy developers”. He said he was “shocked to see that the Council was

demolishing the houses, one of which was only built in the 1990s and was described when for sale in 2022 as a ‘superb 133.5sqm, 3 bedroom residence’ with an ‘AMV [of] €265,000’ and others, which were older, had been lived in or occupied as business premises in recent years”.

Deputy McNamara told The Clare Echo, “I was even more shocked to learn that the

Council had done this after being served with legal proceedings in which the High Court had granted Leave to judicially review the permission the Council had granted itself to develop the site. In such circumstances, the usual practice is for developers to await the outcome of the Court case before proceeding. Clare County Council is now acting like the dodgiest of dodgy developers”.

In an update as part of the Council’s monthly management report for April, it was stated, “demolition and enabling works are progressing on the site while the site hoarding has been enhanced with graphics showing what the planned proposal is expected to look like subject to approval”.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the County Council, Cllr Flynn questioned who carried out the demolition works.

In response, Director Kirby stated, “in relation to Francis Street, the site is subject to court proceedings and judicial discussion so we’re prohibited from discussing it”.

Cllr Flynn retorted, “I asked who carried out the work over the weekend in question, was it Ennis 2040 or Clare County Council”.

“We have to reiterate that it subject to court so we’re not at liberty to discuss,” Director Kirby stressed.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee, local election candidate Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) queried the involvement of Ennis 2040 DAC in the Francis Street site.

Adrian Headd, acting senior executive engineer in the housing department of the Council said the local authority was involved with the site and was progressing a Section 179A application and with the development of an affordable housing application with the assistance of Ennis 2040 DAC.

Chair of the SPC, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) said the site was bought by the Council and remarked that Ennis 2040 DAC have no business being involved in housing.

Director of Services, Anne Haugh outlined that the Council would be involved in parts of the scheme right through to delivery and it will be included in their housing targets as the site remains in the ownership of the Council. Ennis 2040 DAC will be involved under the supervision and oversight of the Housing Department.

Public consultation dates announced for Post Office Field development

TWO public consultation events are to be held in Ennis to view plans for the proposed development of the Post Office field as part of the Ennis 2040 strategy, writes Páraic McMahon

An elevated boardwalk designed around river biodiversity, habitat and wildlife is the proposed development on the Post Office Field. It is one of the nine transformational projects identified in the Ennis 2040 strategy.

Connectivity and views of the town’s heritage are aspirations of the Post Office field development along with offering a new destination for people to meet in the centre of Ennis.

Clare County Council together with Ennis 2040 DAC is inviting residents and stakeholders in Ennis to come along to their two public drop-in events as part of the Post Office Field development public consultation.

Bought almost forty years ago to be developed for amenity use for Ennis Town centre, numerous draft proposals for the Post Office Field have failed in the past due to flood, environmental and biodiversity impact.

Dates have been scheduled to allow members of the public to view the plans

that are in development and meet in person with the project team. The public engagement drop-in events are taking place at the Civic Room, Waterpark Campus, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis (Eircode V95 RR72) on Wednesday, 24th April from 18:00 to 20:00 and Thursday, 25th April from 17:00 to 19:00.

The purpose of this Public Engagement is to invite the public and interested stakeholders to view the plans of the proposed development and provide comments and feedback. This information will be taken into consideration by the design team in the final design.

For anyone who cannot attend the events but would like to learn more and view the plans, they are invited to visit, Clare County Council’s Have Your Say Portal from 24th April to 9th May 2024 - Link: https://yoursay.clarecoco.ie/proposed-development-of-post-office-field or in the reception area of Clare County Council’s headquarters from 29th April to 3rd May 2024.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told The Clare Echo he attended “a hastily called brief” online last Thursday where the presentation outlined the proposed boardwalk. “No detailed drawings were avail-

able to consider. Over the years I have voted as a councillor to ensure that the Post Office field has been and remains zoned as a green space. Ennis’ Post Office field plays very important environmental, biodiversity and flood relief roles which should not be significantly impacted or reduced due to any type of inappropriate development in it”.

“From what I’ve seen of concepts for a raised boardwalk I as an Ennis MD councillor give it an initial cautious welcome subject to observations below but I am reserving my position and judgement until I see and review the final detailed designs, specification, assessments of potential negative impacts and clarity in methodology of construction which should be available after a public consultation process,” he added.

Proper flood risk assessment, environmental assessment and biodiversity assessment must be carried to determine the impact of the proposed boardwalk, he maintained. Concerns of adjoining residents regarding a potential risk of antisocial behaviour of what would be new public spaces must also be addressed, the Ennis representative flagged.

lENNIS 2040: Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) Photo by Chris Copley

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Shorelines to flood glór

THE powerhouse trio of world renowned singer/flute player Nuala Kennedy, The Chieftain’s fiddle maestro Tara Breen and cutting-edge Dublin guitarist Tony Byrne (Danú) take the the glór stage at the end of the month.

Nuala is recognised worldwide as an exceptional interpreter of traditional song - known for the clarity of her communicative storytelling style as well as for her contemporary compositions.

Tara Breen is a gifted multiple all-Ireland winning fiddler

and Tony Byrne is noted for his inventive and transcendent guitar style. In high demand as much for their diverse repertoire of song as their virtuosic instrumental skills, this dynamic trio can do it all.

The trio will be joined on stage by special guest, songwriter and Stockton’s Wing guitarist Mike Hanrahan for an unforgettable night of music as they celebrate the release of Nuala’s new album Shorelines. Shorelines was commis-

sioned by glór in 2020 culminating in the premier performance in the venue in 2021. Subsequently Nuala was awarded a traditional Arts Bursary by glór in 2023 enabling her to further develop Shorelines with her co-collaborators, Tara Breen and Tony Byrne.

See Shorelines at glór on Thursday, April 25 at 8pm. Tickets €20/€18 conc plus €1 booking fee. Visit glor.ie for more information.

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Canon O'Donoghue laid to eternal rest

LONG-serving Shannon priest, Canon Brendan O’Donoghue was laid to his eternal rest over the weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

Born on August 10th 1931 in Dublin, Brendan and his family moved to Ballacolla in Co. Laois in 1936 where he received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation. He attended St. Flannan’s College in Ennis from 1944 to 1949. From 1949 to 1956 he attended seminary at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He was ordained on the 17th of June 1956.

His first appointment was to the temporary mission in the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, serving in Oughterard and Salthill. In 1959, he joined the emigrant apostolate in Britain and was recalled in January 1961 to the teaching staff of St. Flannan’s College. In July 1962 he returned to the emigrant chaplaincy in Birmingham. In April 1966 he was appointed as a curate in Ennis. He became administrator of Ennis parish in July 1984. In 1988 he was appointed Parish Priest of Shannon. He retired as parish priest in 2002 but continued to minister as A.P. in the Tradaree Pastoral Area. He served as director of the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, and was made a Canon of the

Wolfe Tones GAA club provided a guard of honour for Canon O’Donoghue’s funeral mass which took place on Monday afternoon in Mary Immaculate Church in Shannon, this was followed by burial in Illaunmanagh Cemetery.

Canon O’Donoghue is survived by his sister, Maureen Hoolan Dunkerrin, brother Jim O’Donoghue Pittsburgh USA, sisters-in-law, Margaret and Patricia, nephews/nieces , grand nieces, grand nephews, relatives, family, friends and parishioners of Shannon, Ennis and other places associated with Canon Brendan.

A spokesperson for St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon said there was “many memories” of Canon O’Donoghue and the secondary school. “Canon Brendan was present at the Confirmation ceremony of every Shannon pupil who has graduated from St. Caimin's over the past 40 years. Our School Community gives thanks as we quietly recall Canon Brendan's Service, of prayer and outreach, to the peoples he worked, prayed and reflected with, and the many families and schools he visited so frequently”.

Rachel Porter @rachels_day_

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l Shorelines trio Tony Byrne, Tara Breen and Nuala Kennedy

Basilica of Lourdes in 2010. He served as a priest of the diocese of Killaloe for 68 years.

l Canon Brendan O’Donoghue

Ennis Data Centre gets go-ahead

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN BORD Pleanála has granted planning permission for a data centre to be built on the outskirts of Ennis.

Clare County Council in August 2022 gave the green light to the construction of the Art Data Centre campus at Tooreen on the Tulla Rd in Ennis. Appeals to this deci-

sion were subsequently made to An Bord Pleanála.

On Tuesday, An Bord Pleanála notified the County Council that they had decided to grant planning permission for the data centre. This will consist of six data centre halls and associated site works.

Overall, the campus will comprise six data halls of 33mw each, Energy Centre

& Vertical Farm designed on a flexible and modular basis, covering 145 acres and 1.3 million sq ft. Construction of the Art Data Centre Campus is to be phased over a seven-year period. It has been designed by data centre specialists Colin Hyde of ARC:MC, and Robert Thorogood of HDRInc. This decision has ended the appeal of Clare County Council’s

grant of permission to Art Data Centres Limited. The planning permission also gives effect to the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy and delivers on key objectives of the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling stated, “I welcome the

decision of An Bord Pleanála today on this important proposal for Ennis, County Clare, and indeed the region. Clare County Council through its Planning Department and Economic Development Directorate have worked over the last ten years to identify and bring forward a plan-led approach for a development of this scale. This decision gives ef-

fect to a strategic objective of the Council to enable the delivery of a data centre of regional and national scale in line with Government objectives”.

Developers have previously said 400 to 500 permanent jobs will be created when the Data Centre is fully operational with 1,200 construction jobs and 600 in support services.

‘Not in line with Government policy’ - Garvey

CLARE’S Green Senator has said the Ennis Data Centre which was granted approval this week is not in line with government policy, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Tuesday, An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision by Clare County Council to give the go-ahead to the €1.2bn data centre in Ennis.

Welcoming the decision, applicants, Art Data Centres Ltd confirmed that the project will create between 400- 450 permanent jobs when the data centre campus is fully operational with up to 1,200 jobs in construction. Construction is to take six years and a company spokesperson has said they plan to commence construction “as soon as possible in 2024”. The planned Ennis data centre has been moving for six years through various stages including strategic site assessment, zoning and planning.

Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) told The Clare Echo, “This data centre will not get a grid connection in its current form. It would need to be substantially reduced and powered by renewables in order to get any power.

“If this data centre was to go ahead, it would use all the available electricity for Ennis for fifteen years, no new housing, no EV chargers no new jobs outside of the few involved in the DC. Nothing but carbon emissions. This isn’t in line with the government data centre policy”.

Inagh native Garvey said the data centre “will take years to get fully operational”. She said “the whole thing is madness, I don’t know why Clare County Council and Pat Dowling are out celebrating this”. She said the amount of jobs listed to be associated with the development are “a myth”. She said the Clare branch of the Greens are to consider launching a judicial review.

Inclusion of the plans of the Ennis Data Centre in the Ennis 2040 strategy prompted Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) to resign from the Board of the Ennis

2040 DAC. He said, “Since December 2018 when the Council proposed a variation to the County Development Plan for the site in question to zone it for data centre development I have made submissions expressing my concerns none of which have not been addressed in the zoning by the Council nor the recent planning permission approval by An Bord Pleanála for the Data Centre”.

Cllr Flynn added, “I requested zero emissions green energy to be used to power the centre to replace the 120MW Gas fossil fuel generation station proposed to being built at the edge of town site which will have very serious impacts on public health, air quality, climate change due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. In addition as a civil engineer I submitted that

the road network particularly junction 13 on the M18 is not capable of dealing with expected HGVs construction traffic, increased risk of downstream flooding in the Roslevan area due to runoff from the site, existing lack of capacity in existing water and wastewater infrastructure in Ennis to service the data centre. I was one of only twelve individual submissions to the original December 2018 Clare County Council zoning proposal, other than five from prescribed bodies/state agencies. In that submission and subsequent ones lodged to the planning authority and An Bord Pleanála I outlined those public, climate change and environmental risks and concerns. The conditions included in the 18 page An Bord Pleanála does not address sufficiently those concerns”.

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community. Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

l CELEBRATION: Former councillors pictured with Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Cooney (FG)

‘Remember you are there to serve’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ONE hundred and twenty-five years of local democracy in Clare was acknowledged on Monday. Minutes from the April 1899 meeting of Clare County Council were read aloud at this month’s sitting of the local authority which was attended by numerous former county councillors.

Former county councillors in attendance included Bill Slattery (FG), Christy Curtin (IND), Flan Garvey (FF), Susan Crawford (GP), Pat Breen (FG), James Breen (IND), Oliver Garry (FG), Paul Bugler (FG), Joe Arkins (FG), Tony Killeen (FF), Patrick Keane (FF), Patricia McCarthy (IND), Madeline Taylor Quinn (FG), Tony Mulqueen (FG), Michael Kelly (FF), Sonny Scanlan (FG), Enda Mulkeare (FF) and Senator Roisin Garvey (GP).

A proposal to honour the 1899 meeting was made by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) in January and seconded by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG). The suggestion to invite former councillors to attend was made by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) at a meeting of the Corporate Policy Group. “It was a privilege to be an elected member of Clare County Council, it was a badge I held for 40 years and it was one I was very proud

to hold,” said Christy Curtin. Former Junior Minister, Pat Breen said his five years on the Council were “a great learning curve for what lie ahead of me” during his time as TD and a Junior Minister.

Democracy’s importance was stressed by the county’s first female Mayor, Patricia McCarthy. The Shannon woman said, “Democracy is critically important and local democracy is the bravest democracy we can have”. She told sitting councillors, “It is very important for those standing to remember they are there to serve the people that elected them”. Patricia added, “We cannot lose sight and allow sight to be lost of local government”.

Fresh from travelling to Australia, Flan Garvey informed sitting councillors that they had all been invited to visit the Clare Valley. Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) remarked that the Inagh man was “well represented in politics at the moment”.

Paul Bugler said he was very grateful to receive the invitation to attend, “we can go right back 125 years and move forward by looking backwards”.

Fine Gael’s first Mayor of the county, Madeline Taylor Quinn commented, “It is very important to recognise local government, it is

the foundation of democracy in this country and the platform to enter national politics”. She continued, “All politics is local at the end of the day and it gets back to what is happening on the ground”.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) traced his family’s history in local government and quipped, “You’ve often heard of the saying an ounce of breeding is worth a tonne of feeding”. His great grand-uncle Frank Burke served until 1920, his nephew and Pat’s grandfather Paddy Burke was elected to the Council in 1925, he served as a TD and councillor under the dual mandate until his sudden death in 1945, “his son and my uncle Charlie Burke stood for the next General Election in 1948 but was not successful, it took another 61 years for the next generation to raise their hand in 2009, I am appealing to the people of the Killaloe Municipal District to give me a chance to serve twenty years like my grandfather and grand-uncle”.

Colleagues from all ranks were welcomed by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). He said the role of a councillor should be all about the people they represent and not getting “too close to the officials, it is important the line which we are mandated to do is respected, the officials

have plenty of back-ups in place”. He felt “local politics has been diminished by the day” and added, “you cannot beat experience”.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) addressing the former councillors said he would not describe any of them as old. “If any of ye are available, I need canvassers for the next few months, James you can get off that wheelchair and come out in Kilnamona”.

Ex councillors seated in the Chamber were described by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) as “trail blazers”. The Gaelic League was six years old and the GAA fifteen years old when Clare County Council first held its meeting, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) observed.

Stronger female representation is needed in politics, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) felt, “Today is a special day and thank all those who have went before us, there was no women called on out on the list of names 125 years ago, now we have five and hopefully we will have more after the local elections”.

Clonlara’s Cllr Michael Begley (IND) poined out that he served alongside all councillors in attendance. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said he was a fourth generation councillor following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Patrick Lynch, Ernie Lynch and Barney Lynch.

Flynn and Hayes refuse to scale back in argument

ON A day when 125 years of Clare County Council was celebrated, two of the county’s longest-serving local representatives clashed over standing orders and procedure, writes Páraic McMahon

Adherence to standing orders prompted a long debate at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council with Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) and Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) crossing swords. Cllr Flynn has subsequently accused Fianna Fáil of using their majority on the Council to “rip apart” democracy.

Since 2004 Cllr Flynn has chaired standing orders, a non-paid role within the Council. He claimed the rules were broken by Cllr Hayes at the March meeting when he used the planned visit of the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and the Chief Executive Pat Dowling to address the ongoing war in Palestine and urged the duo to tell any official they met in America that they had the power to bring an end to the war.

Flynn stressed that he was not opposed to the sentiment of what Cllr Hayes said but the procedure which he followed and sought for it to be removed from the minutes of the March meeting as they were about to be adopted on Monday. “It is setting a dangerous protocol,” he warned.

Mayor Cooney requested a seconder for Cllr Flynn but none was forthcoming. “It is reflective of what I’ve done, nobody objected on the day, it is a critical and important issue,” Hayes replied.

From his seat, Cllr Flynn waved a copy of the book on standing orders which is signed by the Cathaoirleach, “you have to adhere to them, your signature is on the book, you’ve signed what I’m saying, the matters arising would be a solution but there’s no way I can stand over the way the minutes are written”.

Following this, Cllr Cooney noted, “it’s important we do our business right”. As Flynn failed to receive a seconder the minutes were recorded and noted as proposed by Cllr Murphy.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Flynn admitted, “I am not entirely surprised by the arrogance of Fianna Fáil members of Clare County Council in relation to their recent outrageous disregard for Standing Orders in Clare County Council”. The standing orders committee was established in 2004 as part of the power-sharing arrangement in the Council, it is comprised of two representatives from each of the three political groups in the local authority, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Technical Group made up of Independents and smaller parties. “I was appointed Chairman of this committee in 2004 and I have continued to hold that position for the past 20 years It is a non-paying role so that is probably the reason I have held the position for so long”.

He stated, “It is regrettable that 20 years on the arrogance of Fianna Fáil has returned and it is not surprising as they currently hold 13 positions out of

28 local authority members and when you add on a number of other members that would have previously been part of the family it is no wonder they are feeling those airs of superiority, of course the current situation of a three party government system that has Fine Gael, Greens and Fianna Fáil clinging on to power it is obvious that they feel invincible”. The Shannon representative has warned that a return to the “dominant position of Fianna Fáil” is likely following the local elections.

Monday’s clash was “the total breakdown of respect and democracy in the Council Chamber when standing orders were ripped apart by Fianna Fáil members,” Flynn felt. “Rules of engagement are common place in all walks of life and the important test is on how they are applied and in order to have confidence in the processes it is important that a fair and equitable approach is taken to the implementation of the rules. Councillors playing to the gallery for the sake of a few votes makes a mockery of democracy and undermines due process. The role of The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council carries huge responsibility and it is so important that Standing Orders are recognised as a valuable document for the running of Council meetings. They are always open to scrutiny but have served democracy well,” he added.

Cllr Hayes told The Clare Echo he did not believe he broke standing orders. “It was an effort to raise an important issue and that our Council support it, I will not have it removed, a lot of people spoke in favour of me but a lot were concerned with the process of removing something which was recorded, if there was an issue a month ago that was the time to say it was not in order”.

Conditions in Gaza have got “ten times worse and it is a far more critical issue,” Cllr Hayes stated. “To think we’d rewrite the history books 125 years on from the first meeting of Clare County Council is an issue, it causes me serious grief and worry, it might be on edges of standing orders but it is a critical issue. It wasn’t a motion, it was a comment on a previous issue”.

Maghera based Hayes stressed, “I’m not there to break standing orders”. On the claims that Fianna Fáil used its majority to silence standing orders, he said, “I think in the principle of people were thinking can we remove an item raised by anyone any day if we do this, a lot of them weren’t looking at the issue it was the point of removing it”. He added, “I was glad of the backing of my party, it was a bolt out of the blue, I didn’t canvass anyone to support me, it was a good reaction from people that it seemed wrong”. Support was also voiced by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) during the meeting.

For the March meeting, Cllr Cooney had invited residents of Raheen Community Hospital to attend the meeting. Cllr Flynn accused Cllr Hayes of ‘playing to the gallery’ for people in his own constituency, this was rejected by the East Clare representative.

Be a Tourist in your Own County Clare on Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, 2024

On Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, the “Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare” event takes place.

Clare County Council’s Tourism Department is encouraging you to enjoy it as a tourist would. Get out and explore parts of Clare you don’t know so well, such as the scenery, forests, beaches, lakes, attractions, dining experiences, and more.

See ALL the offers on our website at www.VisitClare.ie/wow

50%-off discounts and free admissions to Top Attractions for One Weekend only.

Watch some of the world’s smartest sheepdogs in action at the ancient Caherconnell Fort in the Burren.

Go full Willy Wonka at Wilde Irish Chocolates in East Clare and have the family build their own personalised chocolate bars.

Head underground for a spectacular cave tour at Aillwee Burren Experience or Doolin Cave

Have a hoot with an owl at the Birds of Prey Centre at Aillwee Burren Experience, or meet the animals at Moher Farm

See Clare from the water on an amazing short cruise on Lough Derg or beneath the Cliffs of Moher or when sailing to the Aran Islands.

Explore Ennis Friary for FREE - they have waived admissions for the day. Rediscover the Cliffs of Moher Experience (early morning or late afternoon). Climb to the top of the Loop Head Lighthouse for breathtaking views.

Enjoy Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - a real family favourite.

Head to Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre - a botanical wonder.

AprilSaturday 20, 2024

Voucher Saturday Only

Enjoy a family swim in the Lahinch Leisure Centre

Discover the fascination of aviation at Shannon Aviation Museum

Enjoy the Taste the Atlantic Salmon Experience at the Burren Smokehouse.

AprilSunday 21, 2024

Seetheparticipating*Saturdaylocations,o ers, andonlinebookingcodesifapplicable. Visitwww.VisitClare.ie/wow unlocksThisVoucher50%-OFF DISCOUNTSClareatselect AttractionsTopVisitor for AprilSaturdayOnly, 20,2024.

*TermsandConditionsapply

Voucher Sunday Only

unlocksThisVoucher50%-OFF DISCOUNTSClareatselect AttractionsTopVisitor forAprilSundayOnly, 21,2024.

Seetheparticipating*Sundaylocations,o ers, andonlinebookingcodesifapplicable. Visitwww.VisitClare.ie/wow

*TermsandConditionsapply

See www.VisitClare.ie/wow

Step back in time at Craggaunowen, Ireland’s Bronze Age living past. Visit Irish Seed Savers FREE: Explore its organic gardens and heritage orchards.

Make your own pottery, enjoy a guided walk, and more.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION: Full details of all the special offers, including whether they apply to Saturday, Sunday, or both, along with visit and booking instructions, are available at VisitClare.ie/wow. For many attractions, online prebooking with a promotional code is necessary to avail of the offer.

“Be a Tourist in your Own County Clare”

50% OFF DISCOUNTS to Clare’s Top Attractions for ONE WEEKEND ONLY!

On Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, 2024, we encourage you to become a tourist in your own County Clare and explore the parts of the County you are not so familiar with - the hidden gems and captivating attractions that make Clare a mustvisit destination. For this WEEKEND ONLY, take advantage of the BIG DISCOUNTS to Clare’s Top Attractions with our ‘Be a Tourist’ vouchers and promo codes.

ESSENTIAL TO KNOW:

Check offers online as some are valid only on specific dates and may require online bookings. See www.VisitClare.ie/wow.

One voucher per party suffices, but certain attractions require bookings with promo codes. For full details on date-specific availability, booking requirements, and promo codes, visit www.VisitClare.ie/wow.

Please follow all instructions closely.

The

WEEKEND SUMMARY

OFFERS

on Saturday & Sunday, April 20 and 21.

There are brilliant experiences to be enjoyed at discounted prices, including going full Willy Wonka at a chocolate factory, taking a cave tour, having a hoot with an owl, enjoying a spectacular cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher or on Lough Derg, climbing a lighthouse, rediscovering the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, sailing to the Aran Islands, exploring a botanical wonder, watching sheepdog demonstrations and more.

See www.VisitClare.ie/wow

Important:

Get your vouchers and promo codes at www.VisitClare.ie/wow

Check this website for vital offer details and booking conditions.

‘Economic push’ can help Shannon Airport relieve Dublin pressure SHANNON NEWS

AN “ECONOMIC push” needs to be given to Shannon Airport by new Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG) and his Cabinet colleagues to relive ongoing pressure on Dublin Airport, writes Páraic McMahon

At Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) called on the Taoiseach and all relevant Ministers “to give the Shannon Airport Group the relevant economic ‘push’ to sustain the economic projection of the airport, to relieve Dublin Airport and sustain the Airport into the future”. Last month, daa which operates Dublin Airport was blocked from buying a car park over concerns it would

lead to higher prices for consumers. The daa wanted to buy the 6,000 space Quick-

in association with

Park site which is about a mile from the airport. However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said the deal would give daa an effective monopoly over large car parks in the area. These scuppered plans for 6,000 cars to utilise Dublin Airport were referenced by Cllr McMahon on Monday as he said negotiations should instead be taking place to aid Shannon’s cause. “Bit by bit it is getting bigger with people coming from suburbs of Dublin like Kildare and they can’t believe how easy Shannon is to park and to get through”. He pointed out that Delta have resumed services

in Shannon while Ryanair has added three new routes.

Tourists who wish to visit the West of Ireland would be better served by flying into Shannon, the Newmarket-on-Fergus representative maintained. “53% of tourists which arrive in Ireland are Americans, they are the real tourists, they stay overnight, they eat, they buy gifts, they rent cars and use our restaurants”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) remarked, “Cllr McMahon always has the finger on the pulse when it comes to Shannon”. He added, “It is our main economic driver, they want to expand up there and

we have the facility to bring people into our own area”. Uptake of passengers at Shannon in recent years was described as an “incredible success” by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF). She said, “I want to applaud Cllr McMahon who continues without any break to push for the ongoing well-being of Shannon Airport and is doing it here again today in one of his later meetings as a serving councillor”.

Shannon Airport provides a fair counter balance to Dublin, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) maintained. “They want to increase passenger numbers to 40m in Dublin, where is the logic in that?”

Efforts to improve public lighting are ‘too slow’

EXISTING public lighting from Ballycasey Roundabout to Bóthar na Loiste is to be examined following calls for additional lights, writes Páraic McMahon

Information and clarification was sought from Clare County Council by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) “on the additional public lights on the section of road from Ballycasey roundabout to the junction of Bóthar na Loiste.

“This small section of public road approaching Shannon Town on Bóthar Mór (N19) was excluded when the public lighting network was installed in Shannon Town and presents a health and safety concern for the public using this access road. I am calling on the local authority to have this work carried out urgently”.

Loiste and provide a lighting design and cost estimate for additional lighting should the assessment identify deficiencies”.

Senior executive engineer in the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett said he consulted with his colleagues in the transportation section and confirmed “they have committed to assisting in terms of an assessment of the existing public lighting provision on the R471 Bóthar Mor from Ballycasey Roundabout to Bóthar na

Mellett advised that funding for the works had been secured by the Shannon MD. “Should the funding available not cover the cost estimate we will investigate additional funding streams”. Flynn highlighted, “We’ve had two fatalities on that road”. He voiced dissatisfaction with the response from the senior engineer, “I am not happy with the response, he can confirm with his colleagues that it was a section that was left out”.

Efforts to tackle the situation are “too slow,” Flynn maintained. He noted that €90,000 was granted for a pedestrian crossing in the locality, “we need to make sure it is pushed on, I’ve committed some GMA to this but it is a standard copy and paste type of thing. It is a blackspot”.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) seconded the proposal while Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) felt Cllr Flynn was “100 per cent right, it is a very dark area, I had a motion two years ago on it requesting that the trees be topped”. l

DANGEROUS: Bóthar Mór

lFUTURE: Simon Harris (FG) and President Higgins

Doonbeg Playground Group

giving away a Volkswagen Tiguan

EFFORTS to develop a state of the art playground in Doonbeg will see a Volkswagen Tiguan raffled off in a draw to take place next month in West Clare, writes Páraic McMahon

May 7th has been set as the date for the draw to win a Volkswagen Tiguan which has been organised by the Doonbeg Playground Group which falls under the auspices of Doonbeg Community Development Ltd.

Funds raised will go towards the development of a state-of-theart playground estimated to cost €190,000 for the benefit of local children and visitors to Doonbeg.

Chairperson of the Playground Group Rita McInerney explained, “Doonbeg Community Development put a call out about a year ago to gauge the level of interest for such a project and there was a huge response. A dedicated bunch of parents came together with the aim of bringing this goal to fruition”.

The group began the work of researching the best possible design from visiting other playgrounds and consulting construction companies. Doonbeg Playground Group also engaged with Clare County Council officials and local councillors who provided advice and assistance. After a final design was agreed with a construction

company, the estimated cost of the development was revealed to be €190,000. The proposed redeveloped playground will be inclusive of children with disabilities as well as those with autism.

It is expected that Win a Volkswagen Tiguan fundraiser will give the Playground Group the bulk of the funds it will need to complete the project. The prize is a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Manual R-Line Diesel Black Pack worth €55,000 supplied by Pierce Motors, Ennis. Tickets are €25 each or €65 for 3 or €100 for 5 and can be purchased on the dedicated website www.winavwtiguan.ie which is also accessible from a link on the Doonbeg Playground Facebook and Instagram page.

There is a €50,000 cash prize alternative if the winner decides not to take the car. Ticket holders must be over 18 years of age and tickets can be purchased as a gift. Tickets will also be available at various events over the coming weeks as well as playground group members, local businesses, and from Doonbeg Community Development Office in the Community Hall. The Draw for this prize will take place on Tuesday May 7th 2024 in Doonbeg Community Hall. Updates on the competition will appear regularly on Doonbeg Playground social media.

Waste not, want not

MORE than a third of all food is being wasted at all stages of the food supply chain.

As well as wasting money, it also adds to our climate emergency. Food waste is responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. In Ireland, about one third of the food waste occurs at the stage when food is sold - in restaurants, cafes and shops that sell food. A creative solution for surplus food is the Too Good To Go app. Businesses register with the app and when they have food that may go to waste, they offer this as a “surprise bag” for purchase on the app with a specified pick-up time window. The price is set at a third of the retail price. Users check the app and can

reserve the bag they want from the business of their choice. They then collect it at the nominated pickup time, typically the same day or next day.

Clare retailers registered on the app include supermarkets like Aldi, several Londis stores and smaller shops in Ennis like Clare Fruit and Veg Market, Sourdo’Farrell and Bismi. Food outlets include Milano, and Le Croque Coffee and Sandwich Bar in Ennis. Food outlets outside Ennis include the Rós Café in Newmarket and Bridge14 in O’Brien’s Bridge. And all their surprise bags are typically €5 and one third of the original price.

It doesn’t suit everybody. You don’t get to pick and

choose what you are given –it’s a surprise, so it’s no good if you are a picky eater. It also needs some flexibility, as there are fixed pick-up times. Plus you need to be ready to consume, cook or freeze the food within a day or so. But paying one third of the price and avoiding waste is a big bonus.

It really is a win-win. Businesses get some money back on surplus food, attract new customers and often sell more on pick-up. Customers get really good value food. And importantly, food waste is reduced dramatically and it helps the planet. Downloading the app and registering as a business or user is simple. Register on the Too Good To Go app on your App Store.

Study to determine if there is life for historic Mars Cinema

A FEASIBILITY study is underway to determine future uses of the Mars Cinema buildings and land in Kilrush, writes Páraic McMahon Tourism Development International (TDI) in January commenced the Mars Cinema feasibility study, Clare County Council confirmed this week. TDI were given the contract following a public tender process.

Examining if there is a market opportunity to develop a viable attraction or business at the former Mars Cinema buildings and lands for the benefit of the local community and visitors is the aim of the study.

A future concept plan for Mars Cinema must be fully informed by the local economic context and the future public realm plans for Kilrush, the Council have said.

A situation analysis is under way, designed to inform a future use of the former cinema based on market demand, ongoing town planning considerations and new area and town development initiatives.

During the second quarter of 2024, a public meeting will be held in Kilrush to outline the findings of the situation analysis and to seek community feedback on the

emerging concept or concepts for the former cinema. No date has been set as of yet for this meeting.

Kilrush based Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) said he was “delighted to see progress” regarding “the redevelopment of the cinema. The project holds great potential for regeneration of Frances St and Kilrush Town Centre but equally it has potential to provide a great amenity for West Clare”.

Opened on December 17th 1950, the Mars Cinema closed its doors in 1991. Interior conditions were described as “in decay” in 2017.

lFOOD WASTE: Bridget Ginnity collecting her surprise box from Majella O’Donnell of Clare Fruit and Veg Market

lMars Cinema, Kilrush

You will need

n 1 tbsp sunflower oil

n 2 echalion shallots, halved and finely sliced

n 2 large eggs

n 200ml cream

n 70g St Tola

Goat’s Cheese

n 20g tarragon, finely chopped n 300g asparagus, woody ends removed and halved lengthways

For the pastry

n 125g unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

n 250g plain flour n 1 tsp lemon juice

1) For the pastry, in a bowl, rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the texture of breadcrumbs. Add a pinch of salt, the lemon juice, and just enough cold water to bring it together into a dough (about 6 tbsp). Knead it for a few seconds, then wrap and chill for 15 minutes.

2) Preheat the oven to 180ºC, gas mark 4. Roll out the dough to a circle large enough to line a 23cm round tart tin. Use the pastry to line the tin, pressing it into the corners. Leave the excess overhanging. Prick the base all over with a fork, line with baking parchment, and fill

with baking beans; blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and beans; bake for 15 minutes

3) Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and sauté the shallots for 6-8 minutes, until light golden. Combine the eggs, cream, goat’s cheese and most of the tarragon in a jug. Stir in the shallots, season and mix well. Pour the egg mixture into the pastry case, then sit the asparagus on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until cooked through with no wobble. Rest for 10 minutes before scattering over the remaining tarragon to serve.

Action needed on Blake’s Corner

URGENT remedial works are required at Blake’s Corner in the interests of road safety and the reputation of Ennistymon, writes Páraic McMahon.

That is according to Bill Slattery (FG) who is bidding to win back on his seat on Clare County Council and is running as a candidate in the Ennistymon local electoral area.

He said the current state of disrepair of the buildings and footpath at the junction of the N67 and N85 has become “intolerable” for road users and residents of the North Clare town.

Bill also warned that the scheduled opening of a 700-pupil secondary school on the outskirts of the town and the anticipated increase in tourism traffic to and through Ennistymon over the coming months heightens the need for a traffic management plan to be in place at the infamous bottleneck junction.

“As a former councillor who proposed the Part 8 planning permission to enable the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road in Ennistymon to proceed in 2017, it is unbelievable and deeply frustrating to me that this vital infrastructure project remains at a standstill,” Slattery told The Clare Echo. He added, “A Judicial Re-

view is being sought by a third party, which they are entitled to do, but, in the meantime, the condition of the buildings and the pavement at Blakes Corner is an absolute disgrace, a danger to motorists and pedestrians, and an eyesore for any tourists passing through Ennistymon.

“Should I be elected to Clare County Council in June, I will be pushing for the Inner Relief Road to progress but in the interim, I am demanding that Clare County Council and TII to backfill the steps, remove the two sidewalls and upgrade the facade of the two buildings”.

Slattery continued, “I am also concerned about the added traffic management issues that will arise from the imminent opening of the new Ennistymon Community School, which will cater for approximately 700 students. The onset of the peak tourist season and the accompanying increased traffic flow through Ennistymon necessitates An Garda Siochana, TII and Clare County Council to step in and put a traffic management plan in place. Ultimately, however, only a completed Inner Relief Road is going to rid the town of this ridiculous bottleneck”.

Odds go in favour of Lisdoonvarna students

SIX Lisdoonvarna students were among the winners in the John Hooper statistical poster competition, writes Páraic McMahon Regarded as one of Ireland’s most respected and prestigious schools’ competitions, the competition is named after the first Director of Statistics of the Irish Free State and has become hugely popular with both students and teachers alike. The competition provides an outstanding opportunity for students across the island of Ireland to showcase their data analytical and interpretation skills.

The John Hooper Statistical Poster Competition is a team competition and students must design a poster on any topic that they choose.

Students who have already worked on and entered a project in another science or statistical competition such as the BT Young Scientist Competition may also participate in CSO competitions subject to meeting

the eligibility criteria. This year, six students from Mary Immaculate Secondary School entered the competition. Three teams were entered under the guidance of John Sims. The students involved were Eilidh Lawless, Caoimhe McCarthy, Nicole Bujnowska, Hannah Vaughan, Oisín Jackson and Paddy Lawless. These students took two of the three prizes on offer in the competition. Nicole Bujnowska and Hannah Vaughan with an entry entitled ‘An Investigation into the Covering Behaviour of the Purple Sea Urchin’ won second place and the poster entered by Eilidh Lawless and Caoimhe McCarthy entitled ‘Does water temperature affect the righting ability of two species of starfish (Asterias rubens and Asterina gibbosa)’ won third place.

Victorious students will be presented with their awards at the CSO Awards Ceremony which will be held in Dublin on Tuesday 15 October 2024.

lBOTTLENECK: Blake’s Corner

Party reps are being cynical about hospitals

DURING a January 26th interview on Clare FM regarding the situation at University Hospital Limerick Fianna Fail TD, Cathal Crowe, blamed the current situation on a ‘disastrous’ decision made in 2009 to downgrade Ennis hospital.

What he said was true.

Reacting to the chaotic state of hospital services in the Mid West region Fianna Fail Senator, Timmy Dooley, last week called for an emergency to be declared.

Correct assessment. A state of emergency should be declared.

When the government announced last week that Acute Medical Assessment Unit services would be extended at Ennis hospital, Deputy Crowe was on Facebook welcoming the announcement and claiming it was the result of pressure that he, personally, had placed on the Minister for Health to deal with the crisis.

Perhaps what Deputy Crowe said had a grain of truth to it as well.

The problem with all of this is that it is completely and cynically misleading. You would imagine from listening to their comments that

Lights out in Killaloe

NUMEROUS street lights are out in Killaloe, elected representatives have flagged, writes Páraic McMahon. With campaigning from candidates in the upcoming local elections increasing, councillors in East Clare have observed a number of street lights in Killaloe are out of action.

Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) requested that a new street light be erected on Church Street in Killaloe. Acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe MD, Declan Flanagan outlined that the Killaloe Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan “seeks to enhance the public realm of Killaloe are improvements to public lighting will be a key element of the plan. As part of this plan, a comprehensive approach to the design of streetscape, surfaces and public lighting locations are proposed”.

Flanagan said the public lighting at Church Street in Killaloe has been reviewed by local authority staff. As part of this they deem that an additional public light is warranted on Church Street on approach to the junction with royal parade. “We have raised this with our roads department’s public lighting team for their action”. This commitment was welcomed by Cllr O’Brien who stressed that the street light was required in the area.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) commented, “I’m sure you are aware there is a number of street lights out in Killaloe which you would have reported”.

these prominent members of Fianna Fail were activists for improved health care services in the area. This is far from the case. The problems we’re encountering with medical services in this part of the country are solely due to the fact that consecutive Fianna Fail governments have failed to act as a crisis of staggering proportions has unfolded on their watch.

It was a Fianna Fail government that downgraded Ennis hospital in 2009. It was a Fianna Fail government which promised a centre of health excellence in the region which never materialised. It was a Fianna Fail government who gave the deaf ear to local hospital activists when they gave evidence at a Dail hearing earlier this year. It was a series of Fianna Fail governments which failed to respond effectively as people were dying on trollies in UHL.

Deputy Crowe and Senator Dooley are both part of a culture of dithering and incompetence that, for the past fifteen years, has pressed on with failed health care policies when it was clear to everyone that these policies weren’t working. Now, with the fear of a looming election, both are trying to distance themselves from their

own party’s failures and position themselves as champions of the health care cause. It’s very frustrating, particularly for those who’ve been genuinely involved in hospital issues, to see government politicians suddenly step in to cleverly control the narrative.

Improvements to hospital services in County Clare will not occur until the current coalition government is removed. The health care crisis will not be improved until competent people are installed in key positions to make the tough decisions necessary. These competent people are not to be found in the ranks of Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.

A Social Democrat government will ensure that competent and principled individuals are put in place to establish a health care system we can be proud of. We will fight tooth and nail to make this happen. When it comes to healthcare, there is no place for deception or dissimulation. The issues are far too important. That’s why we’re calling on all who recognise the catastrophe that is our health service to join un on Drive to Save Lives this Saturday.

'Testament to the man he was'

HUGE crowds travelled to Whitegate for a fundraiser in memory of the late Michael Hynes on Sunday which has so far raised over €15,000, writes Páraic McMahon

Four teams took part in two hurling matches from 4pm on Sunday in Whitegate with Mikey’s past teammates from Whitegate, Scariff Community College, Clare and the Univeristy of Limerick lining out.

Along with the hurling which was an ode to the great love in Mikey’s life, funds were also collected for Limerick Suicide Watch. As of Wednesday morning, €15,640 has been raised with donations still being accepted. A spokesperson for Whitegate GAA club paid tribute to all those who “contributed in any small or big way in making this fundraiser such a successful event. The monies raised will all go directly to Limerick Suicide Watch who are a group of volunteers who do fantastic work patrolling the bridges and riversides of Limerick City.

“The fundraiser was in memory of Mikey Hynes and the amount of players and supporters who attended the event is testament to the man he was and how he touched so many people in his short time with us”.

lHEALTH CRISIS: Social Democrats Representative Hilary Tonge

lIN MEMORY: Jim McInerney, Ger Rodgers, Noel Moloney and John Slattery analysing from the stand in Whitegate Photo by Ruth Griffin and (inset) Mikey Hynes

Galway celebrates International Day for Monuments

MEMBERS OF the public and community groups are being invited to celebrate International Day for Monuments and Sites 2024 on Thursday (April 18th) by participating in a free bus tour of some of East Galway’s most intriguing built heritage sites, writes Páraic McMahon

A particular focus on monuments and sites that reflect the human experience compliments the themeof this year’s annual UNESCO-supported initiative ‘The Heritage of Commemoration’.

Deadline nears for Cathaoirleach awards

NOMINATIONS for an award scheme honouring Galway’s community champions closes on Tuesday (April 16th), writes Páraic McMahon

The Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 is a joint venture between Galway County Council and the Public Participation Network (PPN), which has over 1,300 member groups carrying out a range of community and voluntary activities across Galway.

Official recognition is provided under the annual scheme to individuals and groups who have had a significant impact on the quality of life in communities across Co Galway.

Winners will be announced by the Cathaoirleach at the Mayoral Charity Ball

on Thursday, 16th May. Category winners will each receive a specially commissioned hand-crafted award, certificate and a €500 cash prize towards their work.

Cllr. Liam Carroll (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “With the deadline fast approaching, I am urging the public to submit their nominations as soon as possible. These awards have been an annual initiative for over 10 years now and provide a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge and reward the amazing community and voluntary work happening around the County and give something back to our dedicated volunteers”.

Nomination Forms are available on https://www.galway.ie or by e-mailing awards@galwaycoco.ie.

Galway Community Archaeology Project and Galway County Council have arranged a free bus tour of Kilboght Church and Graveyard, Abbeygormican and St. Kerrill’s Abbey in Gurteen where they can hear about ongoing local community efforts to restore and promote the heritage sites. A bus will leave the offices of Galway County Council, Prospect Hill at 9.30 am with pick-ups at Oranmore, Athenry, Galway Plaza and Loughrea. Gurteen Community Council, Kilboght Graveyard Heritage Group and Abbeygormican Cemetery Group have each worked with Galway Community Archaeology Project and the Local Authority in securing funding through the Community Monuments Fund to prepare conservation management plans and to undertake conservation works.

who takes part in the tour of Kilboght, Abbeygormican and St. Kerrill’s”.

According to Bernie Doherty of the Galway Community Archaeology Project, “The aim of International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local groups and individuals to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities, and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it. We very much look forward to hosting a fun and informative day for everyone

Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer with Galway County Council commented, “The organised tour of East Galway sites presents an excellent opportunity for heritage groups to learn from the experiences of their counterparts elsewhere in the county and how they might implement similar conservation projects in their respective communities. Promoting our built heritage is critically important, while it also benefits the local economy in light of the growth of heritage tourism”.

Details of the free tour, including bus collection times, are available from the Galway Community Archaeology Project website at www.field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org , Eventbrite or from Bernie Doherty at g.c.archaeology@gmail.com / 086 1003888. Closing date for bookings is Monday, 15 April.

l TAKING ACTION: Cllr. Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach (centre) launching the Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 with Liam Conneally, Chief Executive; Mary McGann, Liadhan Keady Galway County Council; and Vincent Lyons, Galway County

l HERITAGE: St. Kerrill’s Abbey, Gurteen and (right) Abbeygormican

PPN

Photo by Seán Lydon

Customers urged to support local businesses during public realm works

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

SHOPPERS are being strongly urged to select local businesses over shopping further afield or online, as construction works continue towards the completion of public realm works.

Ongoing works in the town centre form part of the second phase of an overall Town Regeneration Project, taking in High Street, O’Connell Street, O’Connell Square, Bank Place, Barrack Street and Barrack Square.

The €11.6m scheme will replace conventional streetscapes with shared surface pavements, while squares and civic spaces will be transformed through the delivery of expanded plazas incorporating urban planting, street trees, an interactive public fountain, and provision for performance/event spaces at the Height and at Barrack Square.

Barrack Square and Old Barrack Street will be developed as a ‘café quarter’ which will deliver a higher-quality civic space encouraging

people to meet, relax and avail of local retail.

The ongoing works, being carried out by Shareridge Ltd, are scheduled to be completed in late 2025 and follow the successful delivery

of significant public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, and town laneways, and bow-ways in 2020 and 2021.

Advance sewer works are currently being completed in O’Con-

nell Street ahead of the Public Realm works.

Margaret O’Brien of Ennis Chamber says that its members remain positive despite the disruptions, noting that the ends justifies the means.

“It is well documented that these are tough times for small business owners,” Ms O’Brien told The Clare Echo

“Costs associated with running a business have hit an all-time high and a slew of new regulations already have, or are, being introduced this year. In addition, the business community in Ennis face significant disruption due to ongoing public realm works, currently located on O’Connell Street and High Street, but due to extend to other parts of the town centre over the next year or so.

“The disruptions and ensuing difficulty with access to the town centre is a stressful situation for many business owners and staff to cope with daily. But our members remain positive. They are grateful for the loyalty of customers. They

tell me that if it wasn’t for the continued support of their regular clientele the situation would be a lot bleaker.”

The Ennis Chamber CEO added that businesses have emphasised that they currently “work harder than ever” to stay in regular contact with their customers via social media and text to continue to give them reasons to come to Ennis to shop.

She added, “The sincere hope is that long term, the gain will be worth the pain and that the investment in our town centre will improve the attractiveness of Ennis to both locals and visitors.

“Meantime, many Ennis Chamber members would like to see the contractors extend working hours in order to speed up the process, and they would welcome better directional signage, especially for available parking in the town centre, and would like assurances that clear signage is updated in tandem with the progression of the public realm works, to ensure those coming to Ennis to shop, dine or do business, can easily access parking.”

l FUTURE: An artist’s impression of the finished article at O’Connell Sq

Ennis is open for business: Traders

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

AS PUBLIC realm works continue to disrupt Ennis’ shopping environment, the most important message to the public remains, ‘Ennis is open for business’.

That’s according to hotelier Allen Flynn, owner of the Old Ground Hotel.

“The most important thing is that we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet, and that hymn is, Ennis is open and we’re very much welcoming the local support,” he tells The Clare Echo

“We have a fantastic product in the town and it’s getting that message out all the time, that we’re all working together through these hard times, and certainly while the public realm work is going on. As you see yourself when you walk through the streets, of course we have a lot of road works going on but at the same time, every shop is open and we’re all there to serve and we very much welcome the custom that is out there.”

brings people here and that’s what we need to encourage.”

The roadworks began on O’Connell Street in the first week in January and Allen admits he did underestimate the effect it would have on businesses. “We’ve had a very tough first quarter in terms of our food and beverage business and that’s because of the roadworks that are being done but I’m the kind of person that thinks of the future. I think of the town and where we’re going to end up. We have to have very good public realm, because people can get into a car and drive to Limerick in half an hour, we need to create a very unique experience here in Ennis and I think what they are doing is definitely going to help that and give us that edge into the future.”

l POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Allen Flynn, owner of The Old Ground and (right)

Carmody of R Carmody Shoes; (opposite page) how the streetscape will look

care of it for the people of Ennis because it’s been such a centrepiece in the town for so many years,” says Allen.

Around the corner from the Old Ground Hotel, Ann Leyden has run the Ennis Gourmet Store for 26 years, serving bistro food, wine, coffee and teas, along with a wide range of local produce and deli offering.

The hotel has been in operation in the town centre since 1895 and its importance to the local economy is not lost on Waterford native Allen, who will be 30 years in business in Ennis next year. “Sometimes, I feel as though I don’t own the hotel, I just think I’m taking

Mr Flynn notes that Ennis’s unique offering as a boutique town and its medieval framework contribute to a special place to visit and shop. “You see it every weekend when people come here, they all say the shopping is so unique and bespoke in Ennis, that’s what

She echoes Allen’s positive outlook on the public realm works enhancing Ennis in the long-term. The Ennis Gourmet Store is famous for its terrace where people often sit in the sun enjoying wine, coffee and tapas. And while admitting she is worried about the “chaos” the works will bring to Barrack Street in January next year, Ann notes the work has

Maria

Above photo by Eamon Ward

singing off the same hymn sheet

to be done. “I am excited about the longterm and I’m hoping more food businesses come in. Luckily, we’re getting a lovely flower shop next store so I’m very excited about that and the Well Café opening around the corner is positive too. When the plaza is done up I’m hoping it will attract more food businesses and it will become a food quarter, because that’s what it’s supposed to be.”

Ann adds that thriving small businesses is what makes Ennis a unique place to shop, adding that is why local people must support the county town. “I love to go to small shops and support them, or small cafes and I always find you get better service and more one to one. A lot people come here are regulars and they come for the companionship. They don’t feel isolated, it’s like a kitchen in here and everyone talks to each other. It’s not like that in big places.”

One such small business with a big reputation is R Carmody Shoes, which will be in operation at Bank Place 10 years this August.

Owner Maria Carmody agrees that it’s the personal touch, extra care and attention which keeps local shoppers coming into Ennis and supporting the town during these difficult trading conditions. R Carmody Shoes specialise in therapeutic medical shoes, helping customers who live with foot issues from corns and bunions to tired feet. “We would take time with people’s feet because they’re coming in and paying the money for it. I want them to go home happy, if they’re spending €200 on shoes, you want it to be right. But it’s working for them and it generates word of mouth.”

SEEING THE POSITIVES

Monica Keane, owner of Freya Boutique on Parnell Street, has been in business for almost 25 years. Having endured works on her doorstep last year, she can already see the benefits of the public realm works which she describes as “fabulous”.

“At one stage there was a wooden bridge outside our door … but I have videos of how it was and how it is now, and the street is beautiful,” she tells The Clare Echo

“The works will engage people to come in and spend. Ennis’s shops are very individual and the owners are present in the shop and

working, that’s what people want, that’s what they pay for. In the big chains, everybody is styled the same and people come in here and you give them options, you kit them out. I’m not going to send someone out the door unless it works, it’s a bad reflection on me and they won’t be long finding out.”

Monica says that Freya specialises in individual clothing and unique brands which aren’t attainable in many high street stores.

“We have affordable, middle of the road prices, items for the school run mum who wants to look smart casual that will wear well, right up to something for the races, there’s so much customers can pick and choose from.”

Council explore speeding up works and better signange

IMPROVED visual signage could counterbalance negativity around the Ennis public realm works, according to hotelier Allen Flynn, writes Stuart Holly

Mr Flynn told The Clare Echo that alongside a potential reduction in rates for businesses impacted by the works, better signage “in terms of how the town is going to look” would encourage people to support Ennis traders and cast a positive light on the town.

Clare County Council have told The Clare Echo that they are “reviewing options”. “It had been considered to post project signs on construction fencing but unfortunately, there are limitations in this regard, as the signs themselves will undermine the safety of the fences during even moderate winds. The project team are therefore considering various alternative options which may be possible,” they said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Shareridge Ltd, Clare County Council and the Design team are at present evaluating a number of options for delivering sections of the project ahead of schedule.

The options include working outside business hours alongside intensification of works programming to take advantage of road closures. The Design team and council will be hosting a drop in clinic in due course, once the details of the programme acceleration have been fully considered and agreed.

‘I empathise with business community

CLARE County Council’s Senior Engineer with responsibility to Ennis Municipal Distric admits he has sympathy for the local business community as their customers navigate ongoing road works in the town.

The Ennis Public Realm works, a project which will cost some €11.6m, will be completed by the end of 2025 with many local businesses rueing that the town has effectively become a building site.

However Senior Engineer Sean Lenihan insists that Clare County Council is doing everything in its power to support the business community and deliver the programme with the least amount of impact.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the West Clare native said, “I’ve said it many times, I empathise and sympathise with the business community, it’s been said here on occasion that we’re faceless beaurocrats or public sector workers in our own little world over here, we’re not. Many people here are in-

volved in business, my own family is involved in business so I fully accept and empathise with the difficulties that the business community are going through.”

He stressed, “We’re engaging with the business community, I’ve met them many times both collectively and individually. We’re an open door. I’ve heard it said that we don’t meet people, I don’t understand how anyone could come out with that comment because all my colleagues are available.

“I’ve big shoulders, I can take the criticism and if anybody wants to get anything off their chest I’m very happy to engage with them and explain it to them from our point of view.”

As part of the works requirement, the Council insisted on the Contractor having an assigned Public Liaison Officer on the project who is based in their Project Office in Ennis Town Centre. This Liaison Person’s job is to engage extensively with affected parties as the works progress and, in advance of commencement of

every work phase. Anyone impacted by works is encouraged to contact them on ennispublicrealmb@share -

ridge.ie.

Mr Lenihan has worked as a public servant in Clare County Council since 1999

and took over the role in Ennis Municipal District in January of this year. He acknowledges that many

businesses impacted by the works have requested a rates waiver or moratorium, something which he says is not being considered currently.

“But, to be fair and balanced, it’s not all down to the County Council, all of the issues that arise.

I’ve said before that rates have been mentioned, now rates have gone up over the years but also rent has gone up. The cost of living in general, inflation has gone up. I think rates have gone up 3.5 or 5% over the last few years when at the same time inflation is up 18% and the cost of energy has gone up 220% in the last 8-10 years. So I have no problem taking blame or criticism, we don’t always get it right, but we try and we do it in the interest of everybody.”

While acknowlegding that the works in town are causing disruption, he notes, “but that’s unavoidable. The view is that the short-term pain will be more than made up for with the long-term benefits be-

l MAN WITH THE PLAN: Siobhan McNulty, Acting Director of Physical Development, Clare County Council with Sean Lenihan and Mayor of Ennis Cllr Pat Daly pictured with Cllr. Mary Howard and Kieran Martin (Project Manager), Eoin Grogan, Matheus Ribeiro and Eoin Keady (Site Engineers) of Shareridge at Upper Connell Street, Ennis Photo by Eamon Ward

in Ennis,’ says senior Council engineer

l NO PAIN, NO GAIN: An artist’s impression of Upper O’Connell Street, where shared spaces will be introduced. A public realm area is set to replace car parking spaces outside the cathedral and (right) High Street, where works have been ongoing for almost three months

cause it will introduce new business into the community, it will bring extra footfall.”

On the timeframe being taken to complete the works, Mr Lenihan admits that Ennis poses unique challenges due to the narrow streetscape.

“Although it’s beautiful

it does pose a challenge to carry out the works we’re trying to do. You have a tight footprint and digging up the road makes all those works more challenging,” he explained, adding that Clare County Council has begun the process of attempting to shorten the timeframe of the works.

He also insists that the Council is attempting to ensure that once these works are completed, the streets will not be dug up for the foreseeable future.

“What we’ve tried to do is future proof as best we can. We are trying to look into the crystal ball, we’ve spoken to all the utility compa-

nies like Irish Water, ESB, etc, and said if you have a plan for future works, let’s do it now to make sure we had one cut at it and get it right.”

Mr Lenihan added that the Council have done everything in its power to deliver these works in the most efficient manner, and

also divulged that during the tender process, contractors asked the Council about the possibility of entirely shutting down the town.

“We did put a lot of thought into how we could deliver the programme with the least amount of impact on the business community, that’s why we have it phased.

Some contractors asked if we could shut down the town and we said absolutely not. We put in a moratorium during Christmas so the town could operate properly and we’ll do that again next Christmas. I don’t think there’s anything more we could have done.”

Local Motion gets a foothold on business in O’Connell St

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

LOCAL Motion, established by Oana Neagoe and Darragh Lynch, is set in the heart of the town of Ennis. It offers specialist footwear for runners and walkers alike and brings some of the top brands to the west coast of Ireland.

Having opened in December 2022, Darragh and Oana have been overwhelmed by the support from shoppers as well as local physiotherapists, podiatrists, strength and conditioning coaches and, of course, running and walking clubs.

These clubs are ever popular as seen by the sheer volume of people signed up to take part in the great Limerick run this May bank holiday.

Customers travel from near and far to shop at Local Motion which has dramatically increased their number over the last 16 months to include some of the world’s most renowned and sought after brands.

Only recently, Oana spent a weekend in London with Adidas getting an exclusive behind the scenes look at some of their latest offerings leading up to the Paris

2024 Olympics in August. While Darragh’s 10 years experience in the industry has encouraged people to spend some time getting their gait assessed to guide them into the right fit and type of shoe.

Darragh and Oana are proud of the range they have built, starting off from small beginnings, and strive to give customers a more personal touch when shopping at Local Motion.

Aligning with the theme of keeping fit and healthy, Oana’s partner Rory leads a group from the shop once a week for a run for all fitness levels. This contributes to the ever growing community of runners in Clare while he draws from his experience of representing his club and country.

So if you are hoping to run your first ever 5km, run a personal best in your next race, stroll along the Camino this summer, or simply want the best shoe for your everyday needs, make motion your mission with us and shop at Local Motion.

l UP AND RUNNING: Darragh and Oana at Local Motion on O’Connell Street in Ennis

Patrick Bourke gets on his thinking cap as business hit by public realm works

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

AN ELECTRONIC footfall counter at Patrick Bourke Menswear in Ennis has shown that the number of customers entering the store each day has fallen by up to 30 per cent since public realm works have begun outside the popular store.

Patrick Bourke Menswear has been in business for more than 90 years however despite its fine age, has a reputation for being at the forefront of technological advances in business. During Covid-19, Patrick and his team successfully introduced a modern online store to help navigate the evolving trading conditions brought on by the pandemic.

The West Clare businessman also makes use of technology that feeds him live information on customer footfall each day, which helps to inform him on this year’s footfall versus the same time last year. Not only that, it can count the car traffic passing

the front door and helps decipher between children and adults entering the shop, feeding live information on the type of customer visiting the menswear store.

Patrick told The Clare Echo, “The footfall counter can tell you how many people pass the door at any hour, how many people enter the shop, their dwell time and when they exit. The information is on my phone and I can tell you our footfall has dropped considerably due to the works, between 10 per cent to 30 per cent depending on the day.”

On any given day, there will be up to 14 staff on the shop floor and with 11 weeks of works experienced now outside his shop, Patrick says that his team has been forced to pull together with staff taking extra days holidays “to ease the burden a bit”. “We’re losing out on trade, our stock levels are too high, we had to keep our sale on for a month longer to shift stock, staff-wise our team has been inconvenienced.” However rather than dwell on the negatives, Patrick took the opportunity to put on a hard hat and get to work, literally, creating light-hearted promos on the shop’s social media channels whilst wearing work gear.

Customers on Instagram and TikTok will by now be familiar with the sight of Patrick wearing a hi-vis vest and hard hat as he promotes sales and offers from outside his shop wearing work gear to let the public know that Patrick Bourke Menswear is

open for business.

“It came out of the blue like most good ideas,” reflects Patrick, when asked where the idea came from. “You don’t do too much thinking about it, it hits you like a bolt of lightning. When your turnover is affected fairly severely - like we’re losing a Friday every week - that’s our second busiest day of the week, so we’re losing that every week.

“The first three weeks weren’t as bad because people didn’t realise how bad this was going to be but as things progressed, our turnover went down and accordingly we had to come up with some genius idea so we had a lightbulb moment of doing TikTok and using the framework of outside.”

Patrick snagged the work gear from a Brazilian engineer working on site and he admits that while he has had “great fun” making the videos, it has also helped the flow of turnover.

Patrick has pushed for

works to be sped up and says interactions with Clare County Council have been positive on that front, with a commitment that evening works are to begin in the near future to shorten the length of the project.

In the long-term, Patrick is positive that the upgrades which will elevate the shopping experience for customers visiting Ennis. “The public realm works are a very good idea, the new paving and outlay, integrating traffic and people together. For us it’s a help because we had pinch points outside our door where the footpath got very narrow. Access was restricted for prams and buggies, and our age profile actually came down because of the widening and pedestrianisation for the short while we had it, because families could shop. It was noticeable at Christmas, we had a lot more buggies and younger families coming to us so I’m in favour of that side of it.”

l AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Patrick in one of his social media videos taken outside his store in Ennis

Ennis businesses are going the concerns linger over public realm

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

BUSINESSES in Ennis are going the extra mile for their customers as they stress that footfall has been “hugely impacted” by public realm works in the town.

It comes as a portion of local businesses admit to having concerns for the overall long-term plans for the town, stretching to the Ennis 2040 project.

Munster Tech Centre on O’Connell Street sells iPhones, Samsung phones, iPads and laptops while also operating as a busy repair centre. Vanessa Spencer of Munster Tech Centre told The Clare Echo, “The works have impacted us hugely, business is well down. So we’re offering an extra service for people, if they ring us and drop their device in and we can post it back to them if they don’t want to come into town. We’re asking customers how can we help them if they don’t want to come into town.”

Vanessa admits that she is not enamoured by the idea of shared spaces between cars and pedestrians, particularly with the potential for pedestrianisation in the future.

“I’m a fan of being able to drive through the town. I just know if you can’t drive into Ennis and get parking, someone will stay in the car and keep driving to Limerick or Shannon,” she stated.

Barry O’Driscoll of Precious Pets in the Market echoes fears around

parking in the town, “I think Ennis is a great town. We have a lot happening, it has narrow streets, it’s easy to walk around, there are lots of shops and people who come here like visiting.

“The works will be beneficial. I do accept you have to do this. I

support Ennis 2040 and the river walks but I am concerned about the removal of two car parks, Abbey Street and the Temple Gate. My attitude is, no parking, no business. It’s that simple. All the marketing in the world isn’t going to help that. We’re only half and hour away from Dooradoyle which has free parking and sheltered shopping, you’re competing with that as well.”

Precious Pets is in business almost 25 years, and prominent businessman Barry adds, “I accept you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs although I am

a bit concerned about O’Connell Street, it’s been dug up more than your average vegetable garden and we hope that when this is done, that’s it and it’s done for another 30 years.”

The Council have come up with a rebate scheme for rates, which he welcomes however the pet store owner believes communication “could be a little bit better” in relation to works. “We have footpath works happening here next week and we only found out a few days ago.”

Honan Antiques has been based

Founded after a packed public meeting in May 2023, Save Ennis Town is a community based group of people from Ennis, local traders and public representatives who are deeply concerned with the multi story buildings proposed by Ennis 2040 DAC on two public car parks and the potential impact this will have on the fabric of our town. In October 2023, Save Ennis Town presented a petition of over 3,700 signatures to Clare County Council indicating significant public opposition to the two proposed developments. With an overall combined projected cost of €25m, already €2.2m has been spent on these Ennis 2040 projects

In the upcoming Local Elections it is important that the voice of the people of Ennis Municipal District is heard. We have been asked by the public for a list of candidates (in alphabetical order) who are already committed to protecting our two Riverside Car Parks and halting the destruction of the Heart of Our Town. Support for them at the ballot box on June 7th may prevent these projects going ahead.

Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF)

Cllr. Pat Daly (FF)

Bridget Ginnity (GP)

Tommy Guilfoyle (SF)

Amanda Major (IND)

Cllr. Tom O’Callaghan (FF)

Seamus Ryan (LP)

Hilary Tonge (SD)

Outgoing councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) is also opposed to the proposed development.

l GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Cora Hahessy of Munster Tech Centre and (right) Honan Antiques on Abbey Street

extra mile as and 2040 plans

on Abbey Street for 55 years and its owner Tony Honan suggests that too much is happening at once, with traffic being clogged up in the town centre with the level of ongoing works.

“Footfall is very slow and people can’t park, they come up Abbey Street and they have to turn right over Bank Place and come out at the same place again and they go out of the town because there’s no parking. Parnell Street is closed up, O’Connell Street is closed up, it seems to be taking forever,” he told The Clare Echo.

Mr Honan believes the Council “could be doing more” to reduce rates for businesses, and added, “Ennis is still a great town. It’s very compact and it’s easy to walk around. A lot of people from Limerick are coming here now and they park out the road. They like Ennis. I thought it was perfect the way it was, and now they’re talking about building a big building in the car park. I don’t know why they’re taking away the car park, there’s a thousand cars parked there a day, they’ll have no place to park. I don’t know anybody in favour of it, there’s country people who come in, how will they get to the chemist?”

SAVE ENNIS TOWN

Meanwhile, Cora Hahessy of the Save Ennis Town group says the authorities should be doing everything in their power to preserve the medieval attributes of the county

town.

“I was born at No28 St Michael’s Villas so I’m a very authentic townie. I’m very passionate about Ennis and I have a specific interest in the preservation of medieval Ennis,” she told The Clare Echo

“TIt’s very difficult to get around Ennis at the moment with all the works going on and I’d be seriously concerned for our lovely local businesses who are being severely effected.

“I still say to people, please come to Ennis and shop and persevere to find your parking place. Great shops, great people. It’s difficult at the moment but I’m appealing to people to shop local and still come to Ennis.”

Cora says the potential for Ennis to build a reputation as an ‘Old Town’ must be harnessed, “When I visit a city with signs saying ‘Old Town’ and you go into these beautiful old towns that are preserved with no modern buildings, that’s what I want for Ennis, to keep its quaintness, a charming town with the beautiful Fergus meandering through it and not construct something that is totally out of place in Abbey Street Car Park.”

Cora adds that Ennis is a “great destination with some fabulous shops”. “I’m pleading with Ennis 2040 not to do it [construct a building on Abbey Street Car Park] because it doesn’t fit in. It’s going to take what’s precious and beautiful about Ennis and future generations won’t thank us, they’ll ask why didn’t we fight for our town?”

Huge sale at Lifford Lighting

LIFFORD Lighting is welcoming customers to visit their store in Ennis for a two-week sale beginning today.

With 2000sq ft of lighting on site at Lifford in Ennis, the sale marks a unique opportunity for those fitting out a new home to make massive savings, along with customers looking to upgrade their home with lighting requirements.

There will be up to 50 per cent off on a stock clearance sale with a 20 per cent sale on all lighting, while customers who spend more than €100 can avail of free LED bulbs.

Lifford Lighting has spent a more than a decade lighting up homes around the Banner County and beyond, and in December celebrated 10 years in business.

With a wide range of inside and outside domestic lighting along with an unrivalled range of light fittings and bulbs, Lifford Lighting has gone from strength to strength at their home in Ennis.

Based at the premises formerly known as MT Pockets, Lifford Lighting is owned by Michael Carr and run by Owen McDonagh. Much of their range carries a 25 year guarantee while they stock the popular Fumagalli range, particularly popular for coastal residencies.

Owen tells The Clare Echo, “There’s a massive selection. I would advise people when visiting us to know the size of the room, the height of the ceiling, take a few pictures of the

rooms the lights are going into and a good idea of their own style, are they going to go with brass or chrome, some people like to match their lights with their door handles,

just as something to consider.”

Lifford Lighting concentrates on the domestic market and carries a wide range of stock to suit all requirements, from tradi-

tional to more modern styles. Store Manager Owen invites customers to visit their store to experience the range of products and view their catalogues in-store, with items available to order within 1-10 days.

He adds that they will guide new homeowners or those looking to refurbish their home through the process of selecting their perfect lights. “When someone comes in, our motto is ‘if you need help, shout’,” explains Owen. “We do quotations, there’s no commitment, if you come back six months later we’ll honour whatever we quoted. We’re happy to guide customers through the process and ask them to provide measurements of a room, or the height of the ceiling, to ensure they purchase the correct lighting.”

Every light in the shop is LED of which there are various colours, from cool white LED and warm white LED to vintage bulbs, which Owen notes are a “more ambient light for relaxing”. He stresses that while Lifford Lighting carries a huge selection of bulbs, they will also source hard-to-get bulbs for their customers. Lifford Lighting are also happy to recommend electricians to fit lighting in your home.

Owen adds, “There’s a three-year guarantee with all our bulbs and you could be expected to get up to 10 years out of them.”

Visit Lifford Lighting in Lifford, Ennis or call 065 68 42495 to contact the team.

There is always plenty to do

APRIL has arrived and it’s looking like the weather has been a bit unpredictable at the moment, which can be frustrating for a lot of gardeners.

I have to say it’s not stopping some of our keen gardeners; we can see that people are making full use of greenhouses, glasshouses, and even kitchen windowsills for starting seeds and growing plug plants.

The summer bedding plants have arrived, and people are starting to pick up their favorites like geraniums or fuchsia trailing petunias, which come in a selection of colors. We are preparing window boxes and hanging baskets here in the garden center. They are growing away in the tunnels, and hopefully will be filled with color in a few weeks.

We use a slow-release fertilizer in our compost that feeds up to 6 months, and with the hanging baskets, we use a

product that helps them stay wet, such as a swell gel that keeps the plants from drying out too fast (no fear at the moment).

The variety of perennials is expanding every week, and it’s really nice to see all the new varieties available and the colors that will be coming into flower later on in the coming weeks. If you do want color in your pots, pansies and violas look fabulous and full of color; wallflowers have lovely color and can give your pot a bit of height too. Aubrieta and Campanula are also nice in bloom and low for the front of pots, so we can add/give you color to brighten your pots and your day now. We may be challenged with the weather, but there is always something to do in a garden or prepare. Hope the week goes well. If you have any questions, please send a message; we are happy to help.

Safe pair of hands

Fionn Hegarty sporting the Clare colours while attending the Mikey Hynes memorial matches in Whitegate on Sunday

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Ryder Cup brings new potential of rail spur for Shannon Airport

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ADARE hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 strengthens the argument to finally get the rail spur to Shannon Airport on track.

Elected members of Clare County Council this week spoke strongly in favour of upping the tempo to try bring about a rail spur to Shannon Airport, a subject which has been debated in the Council Chamber for decades. Reference to the provision of a rail spur to Shannon Airport is included in the €165bn National Development Plan which runs from 2021 to 2030 while it is also one of the key aspects of the revised draft Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS).

Cllr John Crowe (FG) this week called on the Council to “arrange for a viability study to deal with a view of the possibility of a rail link service to link Ennis and Limerick with Sixmilebridge, Bunratty and Shannon Airport, to include Shannon Town Centre and the Industrial Estate. In turn this will give connectivity to many holiday makers and business, people not alone in the mid-west region but throughout Ireland, especially with the growth that is taken place at the Airport. This will help to main

tain and drive same. It will benefit workers from Ennis, Limerick and surrounding areas to travel to Shannon. It will also help our environment to reduce cars and busses from our roads”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) voiced disap pointment with the flooding in Ballycar. The Ennis representative labelled himself as “a regular rail

user”. He detailed that Iarnród Éireann have hired a Mayo company to provide a bus from Ennis for passengers travelling to Limerick, “we ended up in Cratloe and we couldn’t get through the bridge so we had to go back to Sixmilebridge, the current arrangement is appalling”. He maintained that the railway doesn’t need to be closed indefinitely and rather daily in-

spections plus train drivers reducing their speed on approach to Ballycar would suffice.

“It would be the first airport in the Republic to bring people by rail to it and if that were to come true, it would be fantastic,” Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) commented. The long-serving Fianna Fáil councillor noted the Green Party were in favour of the development, “they are one of the three parties in Govt and hopefully they can stay in Government”.

Shannon based Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) said he supported the requested but admitted he was not optimistic, “for the electorate listening, nothing is going to happen. I don’t think it would be right to get the expectation of the public raised”. He noted the work involved in securing the railway station for Sixmilebridge which has since become “a seasonal stop”. He continued, “if you don’t have connectivity to take you onto Galway or the rest of the country we’re snookered, I support what Cllr Crowe is looking for but I don’t think it will make one bit of difference”.

A more optimistic view was ex pressed by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND). He pointed out how “millions” were invested in Scotland in advance of the 2014 Ryder Cup, “if they can

do it in Scotland I can’t see why it can’t be done here. No one is having the discussion. The opportunity is there, there is no doubt the Ryder Cup will bring us the opportunity”. Carbon footprint is a regularly mentioned and the rail spur will help reduce this, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) flagged. “There are 10,000 people working in the Shannon Free Zone, there are 33 destinations from Shannon Airport this summer from five airlines, it is only practical to have this,” she said. “The car park is almost at capacity, we want to attract more destinations to and from the airport, the most efficient way to get to an airport is by rail,” the Ennis woman stated.

Flooding at Ballycar needs to be dealt with, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) stressed. “Trains from Limerick would have been full for the Munster championship in Ennis in two weeks time but the closure of the line is now going to be bringing a lot more cars into the town”.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) supported the motion and re newed his criticism of the closure along the line from Limerick to Ennis. “It is a joke, a disgrace and a let-down to rural Ireland and the region,” he said. “If attention is not paid to the motion then we will be left behind,” he concluded.

lAdare Manor

Decision on treatment plant delayed

AN BORD Pleanála’s decision on additional wastewater treatment in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus will not be announced until June, writes Páraic McMahon

A decision was due to be made on March 21st by the planning authority. The Clare Echo has learned that An Bord Pleanála are now hoping to make an announcement in June.

An appeal was made to An Bord Pleanála in November 2023, one month after Clare County gave the green light to Uisce Éireann to carry out upgrade works to the wastewater treatment plant at Boheroran in Newmarket-on-Fergus, subject to seven conditions. A decision on the appeal is due to be made next month.

Chartered civil engineer, Michael Duffy in his appeal claimed that the upgrades cannot proceed due to a “blatant” circumvention of planning and environmental legislation.

Since 2017, 54 social housing units have been built in Newmarket-on-Fergus, 31 of which were

provided in 2020 and 18 in 2022.

David Griffin (FF) who is contesting the upcoming local elections in the Shannon Municipal District has written to the planning authority seeking clarity as to why a delay has occurred in their decision.

Newmarket-on-Fergus is one of over fifty towns and villages in Co Clare without adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure prohibiting the amount of housing development in the locality.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Griffin commented, “Newmarket-on-Fergus is a wonderful village, and is a great community, but the development of the area has been restricted in recent years by a lack of adequate waste water treatment capacity”.

He praised the work of outgoing Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) from Newmarket-on-Fergus in “pushing this issue hard for a number of years and was successful in having an expansion project added to Irish Water’s capital programme and in receiving planning approval from Clare Coun-

ty Council in 2023. It was a huge step forward for the area. However, this was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála”.

Griffin said, “The future development of the area hinges on our ability to grow and until such time as we can provide adequate waste water we are being held back.

“Irish Water expects the project to take about eighteen months from start to finish, so time is of the essence and we need to see progress”.

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) during a visit to the county in February had been confident a decision would be announced in March.

“We’ve a situation just down the road in Newmarket-on-Fergus where we’ve planning approval for the extension to the wastewater treatment plant, we’ve an open planning process in this country and it is very difficult to be able to proceed with a scheme if someone objects to it and takes it on, that scheme would have been underway already”.

l DECADES: Water treatment

Thought for the week: A merciful heart

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

LAST Sunday was dedicated to the Merciful Heart of Divine Mercy and a few years ago as some of you might be aware was dedicated as the year of Mercy by Pope Francis. The Latin word for mercy is misericordia, and its etymology indicates its essence: ‘miseria’ means misery and ‘cor’ denotes the heart. Misericordia, according to St. Augustine, is “heartfelt sympathy for another’s distress,” a sympathy that impels us to alleviate the misery however we can.

Mercy thus begins in a movement of the heart toward another’s suffering and culminates in activity that blesses. Mercy has many forms: almsgiving, visiting the sick, helping the poor and homeless, welcoming the stranger and the abandoned and praying for the dead, to name a few. But if our hearts are to be truly moved by mercy then we will necessarily desire to do something good and loving about it. Each of us is called to change the world we inhabit in some way, and for most of us that means in small acts of love and mercy. We begin in our homes and with our families, and we extend those acts of love and mercy to our friends, neighbours, work colleagues, and wider communities. Mercy is the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of forgiveness, reconciliation, acceptance, care and love. The call of mercy is a call for all of us to become missionaries of mercy in a world where there is so much that needs healing and cries out for mercy. In the past few years or so there have been millions of people and children displaced by war and also thousands of people and children killed. We have also witnessed and become more aware that even our beautiful planet earth is itself in danger.

WHAT IS MERCY FOR ME

For me I believe that if you want to find happiness in this fast paced world of ours, then you have to make “mercy” a regular practice in your life. Mercy for me is something you do, not just something you feel. It

means to help a person in need, to rescue the poor, the downtrodden, the homeless, the abused, the abandoned, the orphaned, the unwanted and uncared for in our world. Mercy is a sense of pity, plus a desire to relieve the suffering.

Simply saying, “I feel your pain and suffering” is not mercy. Mercy is meeting the need and doing something about it, not just feeling it. Real mercy is pity plus action and service.

So if you see a person without food, you give them food. Without water, you give them water. That is merciful. Mercy is seeing a person who is lonely and bringing them comfort and companionship.

So if I see a problem and think, ‘Oh, that is so sad. That breaks my heart,’ it might be a pity. But if I say, “That is so sad. I am going to do something about it,” that is mercy.

Mercy, for example, is doing more than simply applauding the charity work being done on our behalf by various charities both local, national and international and by many church groups and caring organisations. Mercy is more than making a financial contribution, it should also make a giving time contribution toward those efforts. It is actually doing something about it. “Blessed are the merciful,” Jesus said, “for they will be shown mercy.” The more positive, helpful, caring and kind a person is, the more merciful they will be. And the more negative, unhelpful, uncaring and unkind a person is, the more harsh and critical they will be. What we need to

realize is that if we know anything of God’s forgiveness and mercy in our lives, then we should forgive others. Forgiven people are forgiving people. Thomas Adams said, “He that demands mercy, and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself is to pass.” Mercy requires you to treat people better than they deserve. Mercy drives you to show compassion to people you have good reason to ignore. Mercy leads you to care about people’s pain even when these very people have caused you pain.

Mercy requires forgiving those who have wronged you. Mercy insists that you seek reconciliation with those who have offended you. Just try being merciful - it takes the strength of God to show mercy, trust me on that!! When we ask for God’s mercy, we are essentially asking him to relieve us of a heart that is in misery and pain.

“And our hearts can be in a state of misery and pain not just from our mistakes and I know mine has been on many occasions, but also in misery and pain from the deep hurt caused by a broken relationship with a family member or friend, from the suffering of infertility, from the pain of a physical or mental illness, from losing a job, from being betrayed or abandoned, from the loss of a loved one, from spiritual or physical poverty, and so on. But as Pope Francis said recently, “Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us

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become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice, love, kindness, truth and peace flourish.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week try to say and put into action this beautiful prayer of mercy which has become a favourite of mine this past year and which goes as follows, “Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I will never be suspicious or judge by appearances, but always look for what is beautiful in my neighbours’ souls and be of help to them; that my ears maybe merciful, so that I will be attentive to my neighbours’ needs, and not indifferent to their pains and complaints; that my tongue may be merciful, so that I will never speak badly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all; that my hands may be merciful and full of good deeds; that my feet may be merciful, so that I will hasten to help my neighbour, despite my own fatigue and weariness; that my heart may be merciful, so that I myself will share in all the sufferings of my neighbour. As you have been fed, go to feed the hungry. As you have been set free, go to set free those imprisoned by guilt and sin, brokenness and pain. As you have been received – give. As you have heard – proclaim. And may the blessing which you have received from the Creator be always with you. Amen.”

Is as Inis Oírr i nGaeltacht Oileáin Árann mé fhéin mar a tá fhios ag go leor agaibh faoin am seo, agus ba chuid lárnach den saol againn, agus is ea fós, Raidió na Gaeltachta. Díreach cosúil le Clare FM anseo i gCo. An Chláir, is é RnaG an stáisiún áitiúil atá ag na ceantair Gaeltachta. Bíonn cláracha scaipithe ar fud an lae a fhreastalaíonns ar Ghaeltachtaí Uladh (Dún na nGall), Chonnacht (Maigh Eo, Gaillimh, agus Rath Chairn i gCo. na Mí), agus na Mumhan (Ciarraí, Corcaigh, Port Láirge), agus bíonn roinnt chláracha dhóibh siúd taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht freisin. Éistíonn muid leis na cláracha óna réigiúin eile freisin, mar go mbíonndar rud beag ‘’exotic’’ dhúinn! Tá an t-ádh oraibh a mhuintir an Chláir go bhfuil

an Ghaeltacht bheo, Oileáin Árann, ar leic an dorais agaibh, gan m’oileán dúchais fhéin ach turas báid seacht nóiméad déag as Dúlainn. Agus cé go bhfuil blas beag bídeach de chanúint na Mumhan againne in Inis Oírr is í canúint Chonnacht atá againn, ach ná stopadh sé sin sibh ó a bheith ag éisteacht le cláracha Connachtacha ar RnaG! Ach más í canúint na Mumhan is gaire go bhur gcroíthe bainfidh sibh fíor-shásamh as, ‘’An Saol ó Dheas’’, ‘’Cartlann Bhóthar na Léinsí’’, ‘’Togha agus Rogha an tSathairn’’, agus ‘’Cuireadh Chun Ceoil’’, chomh maith le cláracha speisialta eile. Is féidir éisteacht beo nó éisteacht siar leis na cláracha seo ar www.rte. ie/radio/rnag.

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid ag: @macallaanchlair R-phost: macallaanchlair@ gmail.com

l ‘’Cartlann Bhóthar na Léinsí’’ le Dáithí de Mórdha, chuile mhaidin Dé Domhnaigh ag 10.08am

Imeachtaí/Events:

• Clare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM

• CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com

• AN SCAIRBH – ‘’Lón i nGaeilge’’, 1-2pm, CHUILE DÉ MAIRT i gcaifé ‘’An Gáirdín’’, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

lDesire to relieve suffering

Craobhchomórtas

Siansa 2024

Beidh Craobhchomórtas Siansa Gael Linn 2024 ar siúl sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta, Baile

Átha Cliath, Dé Domhnaigh, 14 Aibréan 2024 ag 7.30pm. Beidh ocht ngrúpa ag glacadh páirte ó fud fad na tíre agus duaischiste de €4,500 le buachaint.

Faigh do thicéad don ócáid iontach anseo. Get your ticket for this fantastic event here.

AN COMÓRTAS

Is comórtas é seo do ghrúpaí ceoil traidisiúnta. Tá sé á reáchtáil ag Gael Linn le tacaíocht ó Raidió na Gaeltachta agus Irish Music Magazine, chun spreagadh agus ardán a thabhairt don chuid is fearr d’óg thallann cheoil agus amhránaíochta traidisiúnta na tíre. Bíodh is gur comórtas atá i gceist, tugtar cabhair agus cúnamh do na ceoltóirí óga tríd ceardlanna a eagrú dóibh le

The Competition

Siansa is one of the country’s most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music and singing groups. Organised by Gael Linn with support from Raidió na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine, Siansa provides a platform for talented teenage music groups who aim to emulate groups such as Téada, Altan, Danú etc. While Siansa is essentially a competition, the

Siansa 2024 Final

The Siansa Gael Linn 2024 final will take placeinTheNationalConcertHall,Dublin, on Sunday, 14th April at 7.30pm. There will

ceoltóirí cáiliúla. Cuirtear béim mhór freisin ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus chuige sin eagraítear gach ócáid trí Ghaeilge. Is é an aidhm atá ag Siansa ná grúpaí a mhealladh a mbeidh sé mar sprioc acu an ceol agus an amhránaíocht thraidisiúnta a thabhairt leo, mar atá déanta ag grúpaí ar nós Téada, Altan, Danú agus araile.

groups are helped and encouraged along the way by highly regarded traditional musicians. The event is run entirely through the medium of Irish. There is a long tradition of local musicians successfully participating in the competition. The show will be presented and broadcast live by RTÉ’ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Áine Hensey who is a well-known resident of Co. Clare.

be eight groups from around the country taking part with a prize fund of €4,500 on the line

Déanfaidh RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta craoladh beo ar an gceolchoirm freisin. Raidió na Gaeltachta will also broadcast the concert live.

An grúpa Binneas as Inis Díomáin, Co. an Chláir / Winners of Siansa 2023 – The group Binneas from Ennistymon, Co. Clare

Luasc ó Co. Mhaigh Eo

Streacán ó Co. Longfort

Ragaireacht ó Co. An Chláir

Múscailt ó Co.Chorcaigh

Sult ó Co. Thiobraid Árainn

Flúirse ó Co. Laoise

Allta ó Co. Chill Dara

Na Féileacáin ó Co. Loch Garman

Lifestyle

WHEN I started my work as a Nutrition Health Coach back in 2022, I never imagined that I would have a chance to sit in front of nearly 100 elderly men in a week and give them advice regarding their eating habits.

I was blown away by their interest in healthy eating and starting to use food for nourishing their bodies and less for convenience. Let me tell you what I have learned from this experience in the last two weeks.

1. About the men in the sheds. I was blown away by their interest in the topic of eating healthy. For a category of people who traditionally wouldn’t have an interest in a topic like this, every visit it was like a breath of fresh air for me as a practitioner.

2. Beyond feeling impressed, I felt responsible and extremely empowered to give them accurate information in a topic that can really impact their health and wellbeing.

3. I learned also that there is a lot of contradictory infor-

mation that we are exposed to when it comes to nutrition and healthy foods, and it is essential to deliver clear and accurate information that is backed up with scientific evidence and research.

4. The next thing wasn’t a shock, but still surprised me to learn that sugar addiction is a real thing, and it impacts all of us without caring of our age or social conditions. But, with the right kind of information and an adjusted nutritional apport, we can tackle that in a successful manner. And free our bodies from the sugar imprisonment what we are currently experiencing as a human species as it has devasted effects on our body’s health and well-being.

5. I also learned how confused we are when it comes to making the right food choices and that is because we become victims of marketing campaigns and big chains of supermarkets. So, finding a way to access correct information and understanding food labelling it is vital. That is one big topic in our sessions.

6. Men can cook a meal from scratch! And elderly gentlemen love guacamole! And if you want to

be part of this community you are more than welcome to become part of it. They are always looking for new members and it is very em-

powering for a group age that is usually susceptible to feel lonely and isolated.

There are seven Men’s Sheds in county Clare: Ennis, Sixmilebridge, Clarecastle, Shannon, Doonbeg, Parteen and Caherdavin. If you are not part of one yet, please get in touch and I would be very

happy to point you in the right direction. The groups are a great way to stay active and connected as we age, and we feel lonelier and more isolated. And they have a lot of great activities that keep your mind and body going and help you to stay healthy mentally and physically.

REFLEXOLOGY is a holistic treatment that has been around for almost 5,000 years and involves applying pressure to a number of acupressure points in the foot that

reflect or correspond to parts of the body through zones of energy. It works by balancing the whole body mentally and physically and can have a positive impact on the

kidneys.

I was inspired this week when I saw all the nettles and dandelions in bloom and I was reminded of their diuretic properties and it

made me think of the urinary system.

The urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, is made up of the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra and it removes waste products, toxins, electrolytes and excess water from the body in the form of urine. In this way it functions to balance the body’s fluids.

The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure through the release of a combination of hormones. They maintain extracellular fluid volume (ecfv) homeostasis by controlling sodium and water balance. They also control the production of red blood cells and contribute to healthy bones by activating vitamin D. Reflexology enhances the functioning of the endocrine system and hormone regulation and this really helps the kidneys. The sequence that I’ve been using for almost 19 years at this stage, always starts with the right kidney reflex point

(in the middle of the foot) when I’ve finished with the initial relaxation and warm-up techniques. It can be sensitive for some and not so sensitive for others but it’s really fascinating to see improvements over a course of treatments.

The body is composed of 75% water and 25% solid matter so to prevent illness and promote healthy kidneys it’s advised to drink up to 2 litres of water a day for women and more for men. Use a certain amount of discipline with this as it’s easy to forget to drink it. But remember how amazing water is in terms of helping the kidneys remove waste from the blood in the form of urine but also how it helps keep blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys and deliver essential nutrients to them.

To book a reflexology treatment contact Lorraine at 087 6595417 or check out www.glenina-reflexology.ie for more details and a full price-list.

l Smaranda led workshops for nearly 100 men

IN OUR quest for optimal health, we often prioritise factors like nutrition and hydration.

However, amidst these discussions, one crucial element often goes overlooked: oxygen. Oxygen serves as the fundamental building block of cellular function and recovery, making it indispensable for overall well-being. Yet, conditions such as chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction can disrupt oxygen levels, impairing vital bodily processes.

Every cell in our body relies on oxygen to carry out essential functions. From energy production to tissue repair, oxygen plays a pivotal role in sustaining life at the cellular level. However, when oxygen levels are compromised, either due to environmental factors or internal imbalances, cellular function

is hindered, leading to a cascade of detrimental effects on health.

Chronic inflammation, for instance, is the body’s natural response to injury or illness. While acute inflammation is necessary for healing, persistent inflammation can wreak havoc on cellular health, impairing normal bodily functions and prolonging recovery times. Similarly, immune dysfunction can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate inflammation and maintain optimal oxygen levels, further exacerbating health issues.

Hyperbaric oxygenation, or HBOT, offers a promising solution to address the challenges posed by inadequate oxygen levels. By exposing the body to increased atmospheric pressure and oxygen, HBOT enhances oxygen delivery to tissues and cells,

promoting healing and restoring cellular function.

Traditionally, HBOT has been utilised as a treatment for various medical conditions, ranging from wound healing to severe bacterial infections. However, its benefits extend beyond therapeutic intervention. HBOT can serve as a proactive health tonic, enhancing cellular health and resilience before illness strikes. By incorporating HBOT into a preventive health regimen, individuals can bolster their cellular defences, mitigating the risk of chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction. Regular HBOT sessions provide a proactive approach to maintaining optimal oxygen levels, supporting overall health and well-being.

Maintaining adequate oxygen levels through HBOT yields a whole host of ben-

efits for general health and well-being. Improved oxygenation enhances energy levels, promotes tissue repair, and enhances cognitive function. HBOT has also been linked to positive correlations with mood regulation and sleep quality, further underscoring its holistic impact on health and vitality.

At OxyGeneration, the team are committed to empowering individuals to optimise their health through hyperbaric oxygenation. Whether you seek to prevent illness or accelerate recovery, the experienced team is there to support you on your wellness journey.

OxyGeneration is an Irish Life Health approved treatment centre providing full cover for a range of medical conditions including post radiation injuries, arterial insufficiency, and non-healing

“I noticed after my first session that I had more energy. My sleep is a lot better and I am getting out of bed a lot faster in the morning. My blood sugar level has levelled off and I am taking less insulin. I am feeling a lot better in general.”

Diabetic Client Testimonial

wounds.

Contact Jennifer at OxyGeneration to learn more about the transformative benefits of HBOT or to schedule a consultation. Call

091-394444 or email info@ oxygeneration.com to take the first step towards unlocking the power of hyperbaric oxygenation for enhanced health and vitality.

MOST women, at some stage in their lives, will encounter some sort of hormonal imbalances or will be negatively impacted by their hormones. Whether that be severe PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, fertility issues, menopause or any of the many other women’s health issues.

Unfortunately, it’s not something that is discussed enough. For young girls and women moving forward, it would be incredible if we could change that and begin to have more open and honest conversations around hormone health. So that when it comes to fertility and menopause, they are educated and already looking after their hormones.

A lot of young women will be on contraception to avoid the not so pleasant symptoms of PMS, but usually this is only masking an underlying issue. What would be helpful would be to address their diet, lifestyle, stress levels and get their blood tests done and hormones checked. When it comes to women who are reaching perimenopause, usually they

are not sure what to look out for. I have met multiple clients who are in their early 40s and are struggling to sleep, have increased stress & anxiety, memory loss, hot flushes... the list goes on. And they think or are led to believe they are too young to be in peri menopause when this simply isn’t the case. The first and most important thing we can do about this is to start talking to each other more and sharing our experiences.

If you feel you, or maybe your daughter or any women in your life, is being affected negatively by their hormones, it is very important to talk to your GP. But complimentary therapies can also be extremely helpful in relieving symptoms. For example, many women suffer from migraines or headaches due to hormonal imbalances. This ranges from puberty to menopause. Indian head massage is a beautiful therapy that is very effective in relieving tension and stress in the head, neck and shoulders and increases circulation to those areas therefore reduc-

ing risk of headaches and migraines.

Although it is advised to wait until a headache or migraine has subsided, it can be extremely effective in the long term if you go when you are not actively suffering with a headache. Indian head massage also can help balance your hormones and cleanse toxins in your reproductive system, making it an effective treatment for those with fertility issues or women trying to conceive.

Another effective therapy to balance hormones is reflexology. I have been attending Talamh Holistics for reflexology to aid fertility and I know a lot of women that attend reflexology are having relief from menopause symptoms. Advocates of reflexology claim that specific pressure points on the feet correspond to reproductive organs and systems, and stimulating these points can help balance hormonal levels and enhance fertility. Overall for women of all ages I believe a holistic approach can really benefit hormonal health.

Exploring the impact of video surveillance

IN AN increasingly interconnected world, the use of video surveillance has become ubiquitous, with cameras seemingly present on every street corner, in public transportation, and even within private establishments.

The rise of video surveillance technology has sparked numerous debates regarding its efficacy in preventing crime, its impact on privacy, and its implications for societal dynamics. This article delves into the multifaceted aspects of video surveillance, examining its role in crime prevention and its broader implications for individuals and communities.

EVOLUTION OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

The concept of surveillance dates back centuries, but the modern iteration of video surveillance has its roots in the mid-20th century. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems emerged as a means of

monitoring public spaces and enhancing security. Initially used primarily in government and commercial settings, CCTV systems gradually expanded into public spaces as technological advancements made them more accessible and affordable.

The proliferation of digital technology revolutionized video surveillance, enabling high-definition cameras, remote monitoring capabilities, and advanced analytics. These developments transformed video surveillance from a passive monitoring tool to a sophisticated crime prevention tool, capable of real-time threat detection and proactive intervention.

CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH SURVEILLANCE

One of the primary arguments in favor of video surveillance is its potential to deter criminal activity and enhance public safety. Proponents argue that the presence of

cameras in public spaces creates a psychological deterrent effect, dissuading individuals from engaging in illegal behavior for fear of being caught on camera. Studies have shown that areas equipped with surveillance cameras experience reduced crime rates, particularly in cases of petty theft, vandalism, and other minor offenses.

Moreover, video surveillance enables law enforcement agencies to monitor activity in real-time and respond swiftly to incidents as they unfold.

Live feeds from surveillance cameras allow authorities to identify suspicious behavior, dispatch resources to the scene promptly, and apprehend perpetrators before they can escape. This proactive approach to crime prevention can help prevent crimes before they occur and improve overall public safety.

THE DEBATE ON EFFECTIVENESS

Despite the perceived benefits of video surveillance, the effectiveness of these systems in preventing crime remains a subject of debate. Critics argue that while surveillance cameras may deter opportunistic criminals, they are less effective against determined offenders who take precautions to avoid detection, such as wearing disguises or targeting areas with limited camera coverage.

Furthermore, some studies have suggested that the displacement ef-

fect may occur, wherein criminals simply relocate their activities to areas without surveillance or adapt their tactics to evade detection. This phenomenon raises questions about the long-term efficacy of video surveillance as a crime prevention strategy and underscores the importance of comprehensive security measures that go beyond mere surveillance.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

One of the most contentious issues surrounding video surveillance is its potential impact on privacy rights. The widespread deployment of surveillance cameras in public spaces has raised concerns about the erosion of individual privacy and the normalization of constant surveillance. Critics argue that pervasive video surveillance represents a form of mass surveillance that infringes upon the fundamental rights to privacy and freedom of movement. Moreover, the advent of facial recognition technology has intensified privacy concerns associated with video surveillance.

BALANCING SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Achieving a balance between security and privacy is essential in the debate surrounding video surveillance. While enhancing public safety is a legitimate goal, it must be pursued in a manner that respects individuals’ rights to privacy, dig-

nity, and autonomy. This requires careful consideration of the design, implementation, and regulation of surveillance systems to mitigate potential harms and safeguard civil liberties.

Transparent governance frameworks, robust data protection measures, and meaningful public oversight are critical components of responsible surveillance practices. Additionally, public engagement and consultation are essential to ensure that surveillance policies reflect the values and priorities of the communities they serve.

CONCLUSION

Video surveillance plays a complex and multifaceted role in contemporary society, with implications for crime prevention, privacy, and societal dynamics. While proponents argue that surveillance cameras enhance public safety and deter criminal activity, critics raise concerns about their impact on privacy rights, social inequalities, and ethical considerations.

As technology continues to advance and surveillance capabilities evolve, it is imperative to engage in thoughtful discourse and policymaking to address the challenges posed by video surveillance effectively. By balancing the imperatives of security and privacy and upholding fundamental rights and values, we can harness the potential of surveillance technology to create safer and more inclusive communities.

Shannon Airport teams up with 2FM for week of give-aways

SHANNON Airport has teamed up with RTÉ 2FM for a week of mega flight give-aways, writes Páraic McMahon

All 33 of Shannon’s services for summer 2024 are included in the dream ticket giveaway which kicked off on Monday (April 8th). The Shannon Airport Dream Ticket Give-Away will run across 2FM’s four prime time shows from Monday April 8th to Thursday April 11th on 2FM Breakfast with Doireann Garrihy, Donncha O’Callaghan and Carl Mullan; Jennifer Zamparelli; Tracy Clifford and Drive It with The 2 Johnnies.

On Friday, Doireann, Donncha and Carl, will broadcast the 2FM Breakfast show live from Shannon Airport from 6.00am to 9.00am for the grand finale.

Across the week, multiple winners from all four shows will win amazing flight tickets from Shannon Airport by playing The Phrase that Pays. Each day one lucky winner will qualify for the grand finale.

The four qualifiers from the week will then battle it out, live on air from Shannon Airport to win the ultimate prize of a three-night break to New York. The prize will include

flights on Shannon’s new service to New York-JFK with Delta Airlines, hotel accommodation in the heart of the city, free parking at Shannon Airport and passes to Shannon’s Boru Executive Lounge for the ultimate start to the dream holiday.

The campaign will also run across social media, with a chance to win flights across 2FM’s channels throughout the week.

Speaking about the partnership with 2FM, Emily Brown, Brand Manager for Shannon Airport, said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with 2FM again this year as we prepare for take-off on the second year of our Dream Ticket Give-Away. We were blown away with the response to the competition last year, with over 12,000 competition entries received from every corner of the country during the weeklong giveaway, and we look forward to continuing to build on that momentum with this year’s partnership”.

“As we continue to welcome more and more passengers from all over Ireland, we’re delighted to celebrate our summer schedule on the national airwaves by giving audiences the chance to win flights to our dream desti-

nations, across Europe, the US and the UK,” she added.

“There is great excitement here in Shannon as we prepare to welcome Doireann, Donncha and Carl back to the airport for what is

sure to be a morning to remember. We can’t wait to see what the 2FM crew get up to while they are here, and we would encourage listeners to ‘check-in’ to 2FM next week for a chance to win their very own dream holiday”.

WE’VE all had a couple of long weekends in the last month to remind us of what it’s like to down tools and take a break away from the day to day responsibilities of life.

Some of you are getting ready to go on holiday in the coming weeks and most of us are at least wondering where we will take off to this year for a Summer break.

But what about the idea of a ‘mini break’ every day, that allows your body and your mind to come to a calm, but alert resting state? This week I outline the importance of taking our breaks during the day, from a neurological perspective and more importantly, what we can do to improve the quality of our work-

ing life with one easy hack.

FIGHT, FLIGHT OR FREEZE

There is a lot of information available with regards to mental health and the effects of stress on the body. In spite of this, I regularly meet business leaders in my workshops and coaching sessions that are highly stressed, most of the time.

They might ‘know’ that stress is bad for the mind and the body, as we all do, but they don’t seem to be in a position to make the necessary changes to do anything about the stress.

In coaching I talk to people about the long term effects of stress on the body, (highlighting that I am

Keeping a watchful eye in Shannon Airport

Shannon Airport has expanded its airport security team ahead of the summer holiday season, as part of its commitment to providing a seamless passenger experience. Nine new recruits have received their official certification after completing an intensive aviation security training programme.

Recruits Saul Young from Ruan, Sean O’Neill from Shannon, Ben Baker from Barefield and Niamh O’Brien from Ardnacrusha with Instructor Katie Duggan

not a medical practitioner) but most people know already that sleep disturbances, appetite fluctuations and low mood can be some of the many signals of the prolonged impact of stress on the body.

The theory tells us that if we are in a stressed state during the day that the body sends a message to the brain to prepare to fight or flee (or play dead), in the eyes of the perceived threat that it has tuned into. These days however, the ‘threat’ may not be the lions and tigers and bears of old, but perhaps more likely to be a meeting that we feel unprepared for, or facing a conversation with a client who is angry and dissatisfied with our service levels.

In any case, the brain and the body dutifully does its job and floods the body with stress hormones, including adrenalin. Living life like this, day in, day out does a lot of damage over time and can become a trigger for bigger health issues such as heart conditions, debilitating mental health issues and complete burnout.

So, what can I do to help my clients and to encourage preventative methods to help people to manage their own stress, before it gets to a debilitating stage?

THE POWER OF OUR BREATH

We are walking around daily, with a free tool that we can access 24/7 which holds a key to helping our body to regulate itself. This is, our breath. I am a qualified multiple brain integration techniques prac-

titioner, and part of my training in this modality involved the theoretical and practical understanding of how our breath regulates our nervous system. Simply put, breathing in a certain way, can send signals to our brain that there is no threat, we are safe and all is well. I teach participants of my workshop this technique, because let’s face it, all of us will need to know this because in my view there are a very rare few people who go through their days without feeling any stress. It is part of being alive and part of the human condition. The key is to firstly recognise when it’s happening in your own body and then to understand that there is a way to re-regulate your nervous system, so that you can go on about your day and perform your tasks to the best of your ability. This is called ‘balanced breathing’

A STATE OF CALM ALERTNESS

Balanced breathing is different to breathing for relaxation. Balanced breathing is an approach that encourages our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to come back into balance, so that we don’t feel that we are either on a state of high alert, or a state of such inertia that we are unable to complete our tasks.

The instructions are as follows:

1. Place your feet on the ground, sit upright in a chair that supports your back, resting your hands on your lap.

2. Close your eyes and simply

become aware of your breathing. Is it shallow, do your shoulders rise when you breathe? Is your belly rising etc. Just notice what you notice for now, without any judgement.

3. Come to a state where you can breathe in through your nose and out through your nose. If this is too uncomfortable, just breathe as you normally do.

4. The trick with balanced breathing is to think of a big wheel turning, in your mind as you breathe in and out.

5. It is vital then that you get to a state where you can breathe in and out, for the same count in and the same count out, without any pausing, pushing, holding or forcing your breath at any stage.

6. In your mind’s eye, continue to see that big wheel turning and come to a nice balance of ‘same count in, same count out’ with your breathing and keep it flowing smoothly like that for a couple of minutes. This is a powerful tool to help ‘re-regulate’ your nervous system, or simply a great way to start your day and get your mind and body synched up to be in the ideal state of being calm, yet fully alert. I can attest that it is a fantastic state to be in as you go through your day. Try it now, take a break and breathe for balance. What have you got to lose?

If you would like to introduce techniques like this within your team, contact me for support – denise@obrienlearningsolutions.ie

Hastings Photo by Arthur Ellis

Set in a most picturesque and secluded cul de sac road, this traditional thatched cottage with a further detached cottage to the gardens, this is a home to be viewed to truly appreciate its outstanding traditional features that are expressed throughout, its tranquil location, its stunning mature and tree bound site and its proximity to the Burren National Park, Gort (10 minutes), Crusheen (7 minutes) and an abundance of amazing countryside to be enjoyed. Both cottages offer their own features, with Cottage 1 boasting 4 double bedrooms, traditional main reception, open plan kitchen/dining and main bathroom with the master bedroom being en-suite. The guest cottage with extensive exposed stone walls to its interior, adds to the real Irish traditional feel which has been meticulously detailed by its current owners. A property to be viewed and strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley

Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

Not often does a property come for sale in Farrihy, in particular one that enjoys an incredible elevated site, with outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean and distant cliffs.

The ruin of a single story home on approx. 0.18 hectares would require full reconstruction, allowing the prospective buyer to design and build their dream Wild Atlantic Way home (subject to planning permission).

There is a gravel driveway and mature lawn area to the front with a detached shed to the side. Services to the original property included mains water, mains electricity with a septic tank on site. Located in the townland of Farrihy approx 1.5km off the main N67 Kilkee Doonbeg road and 3.8km from the seaside resort of Kilkee and 7km from Doonbeg Village.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley

Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

NÍOS MÓ NÁ MAR IS GNÁCH

Deis Den Scoth i gCroílár Pháirc Gnó Rathúil na Sionainne.

Bain leas as acmhainneacht do ghnó lenár bhforbairt réadmhaoine tráchtála úrscothach ag Campas na Sionainne, a bhfuil os cionn 300 cuideachta clúiteacha ag cur fúthu ann, cosúil le JLR, Intel, Zimmer, agus GE Baker Hughes.

●40,000 troigh cearnach (3,716 méadar cearnach) de spás tionsclaíoch nuathógtha le hoifigí príobháideacha, deartha chun do chuid oibríochtaí a thabhairt ó neart go neart.

An cumasc foirfe inbhuanaitheachta agus éifeachtúlachta le painéil gréine fhótavoltacha ar an díon agus Luchtú Feithiclí Leictreacha (EV) ar an láthair.

Suite go straitéiseach in aice le hAerfort na Sionainne, tairgeann ár bpunann réadmhaoine nascacht ar feadh na bliana agus rochtain ar mhargaí domhanda.

BLOC R, SIONAINN, CO. AN CHLÁIR AR FÁIL AR LÉAS

Call Vanessa McTigue, Head of Business Development & Leasing 087 205 9615

vanessa.mctigue@snnairportgroup.ie www.snnairportgroup.ie

5 Noughaval is an exceptional 171 sq.m property ideally located in the highly sought after location of Doora, just on the outskirts of Ennis town.

The property is situated on a beautiful 0.69-acre site across from Doora Church, only 6.7 km southeast of Ennis town centre & a short drive to the M18 motorway.

The site includes a plot of land to the side and rear of property with a separate entrance gate.

This modern house is located centrally in the village and within a short distance to the Doora national school and local amenities.

This property is the perfect investment for those searching for a pleasant country home in an established and peaceful area with ease of access to Ennis and 17 minute drive to Shannon airport.

Contact: Quinn Property Management

Tel: (065) 6824343 PSL 001044

Clare crowned NHL Champions for 2024

l NHL CHAMPIONS 2024 (clockwise from top left) Shane O'Donnell is held by Huw Lawlor; Conor Cleary lifts the National Hurling League Trophy; Mark Rodgers breezes away from Adrian Mullen; Brian Lohan gives the orders; The Banner youth celebrate; David Fitzgerald bursts through the Kilkenny defence; Cian Galvin faces the challenge of Adrian Mullen; Cathal Malone signs autographs; Mark Rodgers takes on Paddy Deegan.

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

'If winning a league is a reward, tonight was a reward'

- Lohan reacts following league victory

ALLIANZ NHL DIVISION 1 FINAL

Clare 3-16

Kilkenny 1-20

Venue: FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

by Séamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

Clare’s league final success was massive for the group according to team manager Brian Lohan.

Speaking after the win over Kilkenny at FBD Semple stadium on Saturday night he said “the display wasn’t all that brilliant but it was good to get the result”.

Hitting three goals was pivotal to their success, he maintained. “Anytime you can get green flags against Kilkenny it’s good, there was good running and good movement, it was crucial to get the win”.

Aidan McCarthy’s first half goal on thirty one minutes put Clare in front for the second time in the game and they remained ahead until the sounding of the final whistle. “Any of those scores were crucial. Our lads in the full forward line were threatening, taking up good positions but then lost possession. It wasn’t too surprising that we got one,” he said of the first green flag.

“They are an experienced bunch now, they have put up with disappointments and you learn from disappointments, they are a resilient bunch. Sometimes you get the rewards for your work and sometimes you don’t, they do stay working hard. If winning a league is a reward, tonight was a reward”. He added, “there is a great group there, they have a great attitude and a great workrate.

Winning the league will put Clare in a positive place ahead of the start of the Munster championship on April 21st against Limerick. “The Munster championship is so even, it’s such a tough competition, home, away, home, away. There is real quality of opposition whoever you are playing, it’s something to look forward to. It’s about recovery now and getting right for the games”.

On fitness, Lohan confirmed that Tony Kelly was not close to having an involvement in the league final. Management are hopeful he will be able to play some part against Limerick. “He is still working hard as he always does, we are hoping that he will get better”.

Clare’s fifth league title is “massive for this group,” the manager stated. “The group works really hard and you do want to get some reward for your effort, particularly with our results against Kilkenny over the past few years. We have had to deal with a lot of disappointment from Kilkenny so we are very focused, the players have been working really hard for the last while. Sometimes you get reward and sometimes not. We got that bit of reward today”. “You can’t beat winning, it’s an old saying but a true one. It’s great for the group, great for the county and great for hurling in the county. It’s been a really good week for hurling in Clare. Our minors and u20's did well during teh week. The pressure was there for the seniors to do something and thankfully they did. We are delighted with our group”.

PLAYER WATCH

'Nobody

will remember we won the league if we

don't

by Séamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

The return to action of All Star Shane O’Donnell was one of the main highlights of Clare’s victory in the Allianz National Hurling League final on Saturday. Éire Óg clubman Shane was introduced at half-time in place of Clare SHC winner Ian Galvin. This was the first appearance for O’Donnell in the county colours this year, in his very first touch he helped set up Clare’s second goal which was scored by David Fitzgerald.

“It was great to play, great to be involved with this panel and this group. It was great to get that first touch, a nice way to start”, he said shortly after the final whistle.

He admitted to being “a little bit nervous but once the game started it ebbed away, you do want to get a ball in the hand and it as great to get that first touch”.

Shane explained that he was “battling a small bit with a longer term injury. I have been back about six weeks”.

Accepting that the result on Saturday was important, O’Donnell said he “wouldn’t

put too much emphasis on it. In 2016 we won the league and then lost the first round of the championship. Anyone in a county set up would take the

swap. If that happens against Limerick nobody is going to be remembering that we won the league”.

On whether he will have sev-

enty minutes in him for the first round against Limerick, Shane said, “I feel I am able to do whatever they want me to do”.

l Clare captain Conor Cleary recieves the Allianz National Hurling League trophy from the GAA President jarlath Burns. Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Shane O'Donnell and Aron Shanaghr at the final whistle.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

PLAYER WATCH

THREE OF FOUR SEMI-FINALISTS KNOWN IN CLARE CUP EOGHAN GUNNING (MIDFIELD)

Minutes played: 53 Possessions:

Shots: 2

Scores: 0-1

Dropped Short: Passess: Short: 1

Long: 1

Tackles: 4

STORY OF THE GAME

“

Brian O'Connell, Clare manager

“We’re delighted to come through that test. I mean there’s loads of apprehension and nerves on the first day out because it’s new to all these players and it’s also new for us with this group of players so therefore you tend to learn so much from this competition as it goes on.

“Realistically the longer you stay in the championship, the better you’re going to get so the main focus of this evening was mainly to get the basics right especially on such a wet evening; winning 50/50 ball and working hard so hopefully we can improve upon that in the next game and build from here.

“In terms of messaging, we don’t tend to move too far away from the script. I think Waterford got a good start to the game and again in the second half but we just stayed focused, concentrated on our own jobs and stuck to our principles and were able get back on top in both halves.

“There were a few scary moments there when they [Waterford] broke in behind our half-back line but in fairness the boys closed them off

really well and Matthew [Crotty] made two good saves and was solid throughout which isn’t easy for a goalkeeper on a wet evening.

“So we’re delighted with all of them and the fact that we’ve gotten a game under our belts, the players are only going to be bouncing after this evening and hopefully grow in confidence from it.

“The two home games are first so getting wins in those home games is really important before hitting the road to Tipperary and Cork so we’ll look forward to the Limerick game but for the mo-ment, I’m really happy”.

Cusack Park capacity of 18,800 to be inspected before championship

by Séamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

CUSACK PARK’s capacity is to be inspected prior to the keenly awaited Munster SHC opening round tie between Clare and Limerick.

Currently, the capacity of Cusack Park is 18,800 and an inspection may boost this figure for the meeting of the All-Ireland champions against the newly crowned league winners in Ennis in two weeks time.

Hotel Woodstock hosted the April meeting of Clare GAA were congratulations were extended to the Clare senior hurlers and their management on winning the Allianz National Hurling League title on Saturday in Semple Stadium. The trophy was on display at the top table for the meeting.

Congratulating the team, Clare GAA Chairman Kieran Keating said “there was no time to celebrate but the players are happy to move on to the next challenge which is the championship”.

He went on to congratulate the under 20 hurlers the minor hurlers and footballers and the under 20 footballers on their recent victories in their respective championships.

“It would be marvellous if we could have a trophy on display at every meeting”, commented Munster Council delegate Bernard Keane when joining in the tribute to the senior hurlers. “This is marvellous for our supporters who are the best in the country. They are so loyal”.

Continuing the St. Josephs clubman complimented those involved in the pre match function to honour members of the 1977 and 1978 league winning teams. “It was a fantastic gesture and it was great to have the Association’s President there, a grassroots president who is still secretary of his own club. He paid a brilliant compliment to our long-time sponsor Pat O’Donnell”.

Keane went on to pay tribute to the senior footballers on their season to date. “To lose thirteen players from the last season, and to be in the mix for promotion is certainly encouraging. We are making progress and taking steps in the right direction”.

Supporting the Munster delegate’s view, chairman Keating appealed to supporters to travel to Fraher Field in Dungarva next weekend for Clare’s Munster semi-final date with Waterford. “There is a great prize for the winners.

He joined with Keane in complimenting all involved with Saturday’s function to honour the members of the league winning teams from the 70’s. “It was hurriedly arranged so credit to Deirdre (Murphy), Jean and Maedhbh”.

l Michael Collins scored 2-1 for the Banner.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Graham Ball delivers the ball into the Clare attack. Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Clare Ladies take the honours in Birr

l LNFL CHAMPIONS 2024 Aoife Griffin, Lousie Griffin and Aishling Costelloe; Caoimhe Harvey lifts the Ladies National Football League Trophy; Amy Lenihan, Síofra Ní Chonaill, Aishling Reidy, and Hannah Doyle; Chloe Moloney, Rebecca Doohan, Joanne Doohan, Amy Sexton, Ciara McCarthy, Ciara Hickey; Lousie Griffin, Lizzy Roche, Teresa Collins; Áine Keane & Sínead Considine; Shauna,

Caoimhe, and Gráinne Harvey; Wayne Freeman (Photo by Ben McShane (Sportsfile); Teresa Collins & Family. Photos by Gerard O'Neill

'We're happy to be talked about as the best team and we are the one's everyone else wants to beat'

LADIES NFL DIVISION 3 FINAL

Clare 1-6 Roscommon 1-4

Venue: Grant Heating St. Brendan's Park, Birr

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE Frees for: 12 (7/5)

Wides: 10 (4/6)

Scores from play: 1-6

Spread of scorers: 3

Top scorer: Aishling

Considine (1-2)

Bookings: Caoimhe

Harvey (59)

Own kickouts won: 10 out of 10 (100%)

ROSCOMMON Frees for: 21 (12/9)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Scores from play: 1-0

Spread of scorers: 2

Top scorer: Laura Fleming (0-4f's)

Bookings: None

Own kickouts won: 13 out of 17 (76%)

REFEREE: Barry Redmond (Wexford)

“MANAGER COMMENT

Wayne Freeman, Clare manager

“Against the conditions in the first half our defensive performance was excellent, we had as many shots on goal as they did, we had two or three goal chances that we should have put away, one or two which were stopped by Helena Cummins but she is a really good goalkeeper, the goal in the first half was a massive momentum builder for us, it took a lot of pressure off us at half time. We were here nice and early so we got to watch the first game and we saw the dynamics of playing against the wind in the first half, Carlow played against the wind and won the game so it was something to prepare for anyway, we would have spoke about how we were setting up defensively against the wind and with the wind, we were unbelievably prepared for this and we trained really well, the intensity that Graham forces the girls to bring to training is unbelievable, as soon as we take a foot off in training we under-perform, we train at 100 miles an hour right up until the game and that is testament to them”. "We won the Munster Senior B last year as well but it is the lesser of the three competitions but it was still a tangible trophy and it built confidence for us, this is bigger. We’ve time to settle down now, we go away from each other for the next two and a half weeks, we don’t meet up again for two and a half weeks, we take a break and re-assess before putting in a massive body of work again for championship.

We’ve been favourites to win this, people overlooked us last year and I feel we were shown disrespect last year and it got up our backs a little bit, we’ve earned the fact that we were favourites, we’ve pushed on with that and put it in our stride, it is another string to our bow, we’re happy to be talked about as the best team and we are the ones everyone else wants to beat”.

Caoimhe helps to provide the light following 'dark days' for ladies football in Clare

by Páraic McMahon

paraic@clareecho.ie

VICTORIOUS Clare ladies football captain Caoimhe Harvey says they have been left with a “fantastic” feeling after securing league glory.

Clare were crowned Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 3 champions for the fifth time on Saturday following previous successes in 2006 and 2011.

During her acceptance speech, Caoimhe urged her teammates to stay focused on ensuring the league was not the only piece of silverware they obtain in 2024 and she thanked their supporters for sticking with them through thick and thin.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Querrin native admitted, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have got over the line, it was a battle right till the end but we always knew that was going to be the case. On Wednesday when we heard there was going to be a storm, we had that worrying aspect but the girls just dug in deep and fought right until the end”.

Storm Kathleen was not too prominent in St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Saturday for the tie and the West Clare pedigree of many of the Clare squad has seen them line out in stiffer breezes down through

the years. We’ve played a few games this year in the league that were pretty poor so today is superb enough really”.

Early on it was Caoimhe who set the tempo powering through the middle of the Roscommon defence before offloading to Laurie Ryan who found Ailish Considine and she hit the net for Clare’s only goal.

This is all part of the leadership that players need to demonstrate. “It’s about giving the girls light and hope and showing we are actually good enough and put it up to the opposition. The girls really tried hard and worked for the sixty minutes, for me it is an absolute privilege”.

Her victory speech also mentioned “dark days” for ladies football in Clare. The West Clare Gaels dynamo noted that by Clare winning the league final, their place in Division 2 next season is fully merited. “We have been knocking on the door, I’ve been on the panel for the last eight years and we’ve been trying to win the intermediate championship, it wasn’t a great day when we got relegated and there is no point in hiding that, it is great to be back up in Division 2 and to get there by winning not by just being promoted, we are up there because we won it so it’s fantastic”.

Inter-county training for Clare takes a break for two weeks as players return to their clubs but when they reassemble in a fortnight, Caoimhe is confident they will be in a much better place given the silverware obtained. “It makes things a lot easier and exciting heading into championship, it gives us a buzz and that we have the confidence too”.

PLAYER WATCH

AILISH CONSIDINE (CORNERFORWARD)

Minutes played: All

Possessions: 11

Scores: 1-2

Passess: 5

Short/Long: 5/0

Shots: 5

Wides: 1

Tackles:1

'Winning gives a reason to drive on' says commuting Considine

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ROISIN CONSIDINE’s return to the Clare ladies football squad was made all the sweeter after she won her first league medal with the county.

Wing-back on the side crowned Division 3 National League champions on Saturday, Roisin formed part of the Clare defence which kept Roscommon scoreless from play up until the last ninety seconds of the game.

In 2016, she lined out at wing-back on the Clare side defeated by Kildare in the All-Ireland intermediate final.

Both the Considines returned to the panel this year, Ailish after a spell playing AFLW in Australia, Roisin after opting out last season having moved to London where she is currently based. She represented London at inter-county level last year and won a championship with her new club, Tír Chonaill Gaels.

She is commuting from London to represent her county. “I’m home as often as I can, I’m grateful to Seán Lenihan for organising Shannon Airport who have sponsored me flights and my family and what not, it’s been challenging but it has been worth it now”.

Winning makes the travelling much more easier, Roisin said. “When you lose and when you’re constantly losing you question why you’re doing it and especially with the travelling, now you have a reason to keep driving on”.

“Me and Ailish were saying we’ve no silverware won together so it is definitely a lovely feeling,” Roisin told The Clare Echo. She disputed the observation that the Considines may be credited with making the all-important difference, “Definitely not. It is lovely to be back in with the set-up, you can see what the girls had built on last year and if we can add to that it will be great”.

Despite playing against a strong breeze in the opening half, Clare entered the dressing room on level terms and were unlucky not to be ahead only for Laura Fleming converted her fourth free in thirty minutes to have the sides tied 1-1 0-4.

“You could tell at half time that with our workrate we were calm, most of the time, in the first half and I think that is what got us over the line and we had the legs to drive on in the second half”.

To win the league leaves Clare in a healthy place for their championship bid, Roisin felt. “It will give us a bit of a confidence heading into championship so the silverware is definitely needed”.

l Clare’s Roisin Considine carries the ball out of defence. Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Close Wins for Ennis’ U13 and U16 sides as Senior Women bow out

AIL WOMEN’S PROMOTION

PLAY-OFF COMPETITION: ENNIS/KILRUSH RFC

10 – 15 TULLOW RFC

Tullow managed a close victory over a determined Ennis/Kilrush team with a score of 10 - 15. The Ennis/Kilrush women now look forward to the Division 1 Cup Final on the 28 th of April.

Tullow were given a yellow card in the first half after repeated high tackle infringements.

Many handling errors characterised the first half of the game, however, the Leinster champions dominated the opening phase. They did very well to consistently force the ball into Ennis/Kilrush’s half and keep them pinned down. Tullow were then subsequently rewarded with the first try of the game when a good move from the scrum inside the 22 led to a try in the corner, no conversion. Despite being a player down, Tullow managed a well-worked move across the backline in the 22 and touched down to the right of the posts for their second try of the game, without a conversion. The women of

Ennis/Kilrush responded well, when number eight, Aoibheann Hahessy, broke the line from the back of a scrum near the halfway line and carried the ball into the opposition’s 22. From here, Ciara Coughlan was able to carry over for a well-deserved score to the right of the posts, without a conversion. The halftime score showed Ennis/Kilrush 5 – 10 Tullow.

Both teams managed to work the ball up and down the field in a period of back-and- forth play in the second half. Captain Michaela Glynn put on a territorial kicking display that pinned Tullow in their own half until a knee injury forced

Glynn from the game. A kick chase by centre Aoibhinn O’Loughlin was rewarded when she managed to get her hands on the ball behind the try line for the second try for the home team, without a conversion. Ennis/Kilrush’s team had several injury replacements and a drop in defensive awareness. Tullow took full advantage of this and achieved the game’s final score when a series of carries from the back of a scrum on the 22 led to a touchdown to the left of the posts, no conversion. However, the handling errors present throughout the game prevented them from

Away semi-final

for Clare senior footballers

by Séamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s senior footballers will be on the road for the Munster semi-final after a surprise result over the weekend. Waterford recorded their first championship win since 2010 to ensure their passage to the provincial semi-finals at the expense of Tipperary on a score of 2-7 1-5.

Prior to Sunday, Waterford’s last win over Tipperary was in 1988, this win came at the twelfth time of asking.

As a result it means Mark Fitzgerald’s Clare will be travelling for the semi-final fixture, had Tipperary prevailed the clash would have been held in Cusack Park. The fixture has been set for 7pm on Saturday week (April 20th) in Dungarvan.

Fitzgerald’s side are continuing their preparations following the conclusion of the Allianz National Football League campaign.

Ironically the Déise’s last win in the province was over a Micheál McDermott managed Clare in Fraher Field in May 2010 with members of the starting team including Joe Hayes, Gordon Kelly, Martin McMahon, Ger Quinlan, Gary Brennan, Alan Clohessy, David Tubridy, David Russell and the late Michael O’Shea.

Double for Ennistymon's Flanagan

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

ENNISTYMON’S Tommy Flanagan recorded a double success in Galway while in Limerick the shocks kept coming in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial.

The opening round heats of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A4 525 Yards stake formed the spine of Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium on a ten race card that had the concluding A3 graded 525 contest as the feature event.

As the traps rose for the feature contest Drombeg Bear was just about best away and racing towards the opening he disputed the lead with Ballyhealy Star. Between the final two bends the John Vaughan owned Ballyhealy Star began to bridge the gap to the leader and off the home bend Ballyhealy Star (Doratos Wildcat & Blundell Bridie) inch by inch wore down the pace setting Drombeg Bear to prevail by a neck at the line in 29.25 and complete a kennel double for trainer Tommy Flanagan of Ennistymon. The double was initiated in the A7 graded third contest Clareabbey Bob stepped up two places from his debut outing as he made all the running to take this A7 graded contest by a length from Kitmins Betty in 29.33. Racing down the back Kitmins Betty gradually narrowed the gap but the winner held his ground at the third bend which proved vital as he kept

on well in the straight to land the spoils.

Heat 4 of the Ann Cheever Memorial Stake went to the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Pennie (Doratos Wildcat & Fast Fit Maeve) who gradually wore down the pace setting Millroad Penny close home to prevail by three parts of a length in 29.43. Millroad Penny broke smartly on the wide outside and led by three lengths from Matilda Be Slick rounding the opening bend. Tracking well, the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Magic (Broadstand Bono & Glasheen Covid) drew clear in the straight to score by two and a half lengths form Cappaneale Bono in 18.28.

Trainer Albert Mullins of Gort was in the mark in the A6 graded ninth contest as his daughter Makayla’s Makaylas Dream led off the home bend to defeat Lady Eros by a length and three parts in 29.41. Off the home bend though she found her space and quicken clear for a deserved second career success.

With the withdrawal of Serene Rex earlier in the day, the opening quarter final was a five-dog affair, and this saw Scooby Pacemaker come from off-the-pace to deny Romeo Kingpin back-to-back wins.

The action continues this Saturday night with the semi-finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial. Doors open at 6.30pm and full details can be found on www.limerickgreyhoundstadium.ie.

by Dearbhla Perry news@clareecho.ie

l Clare defend in numbers in their last outing before championship.

The Masters : A Tradition Unlike Any Other

by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH

The most exciting golfing week of the year has finally arrived upon us. The clocks have finally moved forward and we begin to see a beautiful stretch in the evenings, with the additional daylight that is available to squeeze in nine holes after work and of course this also means it is now time for this years 2024 Masters. This week is officially what I consider the beginning of the Irish golfing season. After watching the Masters on tv over the weekend we are all going to be like greyhounds in their traps raring to get back out on to those lush fairways. Even the non golfers in my household and in most families will be glued to the Masters. There is something special about this tournament. As the azaleas bloom and the Georgia pines sway gently in the spring breeze, the golfing world turns its attention to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. For golf aficionados, the Masters Tournament is more than just a major championship; it's a tradition unlike any other, steeped in history, prestige, and unparalleled drama.

The Masters traces its roots back to 1933 when legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts decided to create a prestigious event in the southeastern United States. Since its inception, the tournament has grown in stature, attracting the best golfers from around the globe to compete for the coveted Green Jacket. Over the decades, the Masters has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in golfing history. From Jack Nicklaus' miraculous charge to victory in 1986 at the age of 46 to Tiger Woods' historic triumph in 1997, where he shattered records and

captured the imagination of the world, Augusta National has been the stage for countless unforgettable performances. More recently winning in 2019 when everyone wrote him off from ever winning again not alone winning another Major adding to his 15th major in total.

One cannot discuss the Masters without mentioning the treacherous yet picturesque layout of Augusta National. The course, meticulously designed by Bobby Jones and renowned architect Alister MacKenzie, presents a stern test of skill and nerve to even the most seasoned professionals. From the treacherous Amen Corner, comprised of holes 11, 12, and 13, to the lightning-fast undulating greens of holes like 10 and 14, Augusta demands precision and strategic mastery from its competitors.

As the 2024 edition of the Masters approaches, speculation runs rampant about who will emerge victorious and etch their name into golfing lore. Among the contenders, one name stands out : Jordan Spieth. The Texan phenom has a special affinity for Augusta, having won the Green Jacket in 2015 and finishing runner-up twice since then.

The top favourites have to be Rory McILroy, Dustin Johnson, John Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Brooks Keopka. All have the ability to cope with the pressures of winning at Augusta. A relaxed confident Rory is the player that needs to turn up to Augusta and not let the pressure and history of the event to overcome him, it needs to be treated as just another golf tournament in his head and I believe there will be no stopping him on his way to that green jacket this Sunday.

Brooks Keopka always said he is only playing against 15% of the field in a major because so many players play themselves out of the

event before they even tee off the first hole because they have build the tournament up so much in their heads they cant play relaxed and usually crack to the pressures of a major. This I feel is true for Rory also at times, when he had his opportunity to win in the past he fell apart on the backnine. Which was definitely down to the pressure of the Masters and how prestigious and historic an event it is.

Outside of these top players I myself favour three outside chances in Victor Hovland, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg. Clark and Aberg in particular are playing at Augusta for the first time and although they don't have the experience of playing at Augusta both have incredible talents to shape shots and have proven they have all the attributes of the game and what it takes to win even under the pressure when competing for a major title. Hovland playing in his fifth Masters is also a player that won't be ruffled by the pressure of a major and I also feel he is due a good run at Augusta and I've a feeling this year he will go a long way and will hopefully be contending for the prestigious green jacket come Sunday.

Whoever is in contention this weekend it surely will be another memorable opening major of the golfing season. As the anticipation builds and the first tee shot draws near, one thing is certain: the 2024 Masters promises to deliver excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments. Whether it's a veteran champion adding to their legacy or a rising star making their mark on golf's grandest stage, Augusta National never fails to captivate and inspire. As Bobby Jones once said, "The Masters is intended to be a cheerful festival of golf." And indeed, it remains just that—a celebration of the game's rich history and enduring spirit.

Plenty of wins at Dromoland Golf Club

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB

Section A in the seniors group at Dromoland last week was won by Pat McGrath from Mathew Cooney with third spot filled by John O’Shaughnessy.

Sive Timmons won the junior girls competition with 33 points from Beibhinn Gallagher with 31 points with third spot filled by Jennifer McCarthy with 29 points. Sive Timmons also won the Thursday competition with 36 points.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB

Last week’s ladies 14 hole singles stableford competition at Ennis was won by Ann Pyne Gallery (29) with 31 points from Mary Lenihan (20) with 30 points. The 9 hole competition was won by Helen Harnett (14) with 20 points and she was a point ahead of Bernie Brooks (22). The 18 hole com-

petition began on Sunday last and continued on Wednesday. All holes are now open and later tee times are available on Wednesday afternoons/ evenings now that summer time has arrived.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB

John Dreelan was the winner of the club singles at Woodstock at the weekend with 30 points. He won on a countback from Alan Markham (5).

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB

Last week’s senior men’s competition at East Clare was won by John Nihill and Willie Roche from Danny Minogue and Jackie McHugh with third spot filled by Jonathan Walsh and Michael Heffernan.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB

The weekly singles competition at Kilrush was won by Padraic Conway (20) with 31 points. In second place was Bryan J Hayes (9) with 29 points followed by David Abbott (9) with 27 points.

Medals for Ennis athletes at National IUAA championships

by Victor Fleming O'Loughlin news@clareecho.ie

A very busy weekend has just gone with several athletics competitions being held all around the country.

In Ennis, the Matt O’Connor memorial open sports day was hosted by the Marian Athletics club. Athletes as young as the age of eight competed in sprint, distance and relay events while senior competitions included the weight for distance. Ennis Track’s Rachel Akers made an appearance at the event fresh from triple Gold at European Masters and took top place in the women's senior weight for distance. A full set of results can be found on the Marian Athletics Club facebook page.

In the National IUAA track and field championships in Belfast, Ennis Track took home three medals. Oisin Spillane won gold in the steeplechase, while Mark Hanrahan won silver in the men's 5000m and Niall Murphy took the bronze in the men's 1500m race.

Leanne Healy of Marian Athletics Club took home a medal in the javelin with a throw of 41.37m.

In TUS Athlone the National Juvenile Indoor Championships were held with hundreds of ju-

venile athletes travelling from all over Ireland to take part in the event. The event saw huge success for Clare athletes travelling up for the three day event. Starting with the U13s 600m race, Ennis Track AC’s Ailbhe O’Neill won first place. Eoin Keane would go on to bring home Ennis Track AC’s second gold medal of the day in the boys U13 long jump. In the U16s 1500m race, Ennis Track AC’s Sophie Maher took top prize with Fergus AC’s Emma Haugh taking third place prize. Gemma Galvin of Ennis Track AC would go on to bring home not one but two gold medals for the townies in the U18s 1500m race and the U18s 800m race. While Ms. Galvin would win gold in the U18s category for the 800m race, the gold for the U16s category went to Faye Mannion, also of Ennis Track AC. Aisling Kelly of Ennis Track AC would go on to win silver in the U15s category.

On 14 April 2024, The Great Ennis 10K, sponsored by Zimmer Biomet, will take place at 11:00 am in Lee’s Road, Ennis. A 5K option is also available. A children's 2K event will also be happening on the same day at 09:30 am in Lee’s Road, Ennis.

Planning Reference: P23/481

To retain the existing dwelling house, stable block and associated facilities as constructed on site including all ancillary services and works at the address below

Location: Ballyveskil, Tiermaclane, Ennis, Co

Clare V95 D9C7

Take notice that Joe Longe has lodged significant further information/revised plans in respect of Planning Application P23/481. This significant further information/revised plans is available for inspection or purchase at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the significant further information/revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Author-

ity not later than two weeks after receipt of the newspaper and site notice by the Planning Authority. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS

PLANNING REF: P23/60579

Development Description: Permission

Consequent on the grant of outline permission (Ref. No. P22/518) to construct a single dwelling house, private garage, vehicular entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary site works on Site A at the above address.

Location: Toormore, Ruan, Co. Clare.

Take notice Brian & Fiona Clancy have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/60579. This information and planning application may be inspect-

Recent Deaths

Glynn, Desmond

Ennis Clare

Conlan (née Corry), Teresa (Tess)

Mullagh Clare

Darcy, John (Johnny)

Ennis Clare

Keane (née Greene), Josephine

Corofin Clare

Kavanagh (née Clancy), Sheila

Kilnaboy Clare

Lally, Michael

Shannon Clare

McGrath, Timothy (Ted)

Clare

Moloney, Jack O’Callaghans Mills

Clare

ed or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BUNRATTY WEST, CO

CLARE

Take notice that Padraig Crimmins intends to apply to the Planning Authority for planning retention for additional internal floor area and alterations to the side and rear elevations of existing dwelling at Bunratty West, Co Clare The planning authority may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable

O’Brien, Patrick (Paddy)

Doora Clare

O’Brien, Patrick (Paddy)

Ennis Clare

Collins (née Clancy), Kathleen Cranny Clare

Collins (née Clancy), Kathleen Kildysart Clare

Corry (née Ketkesee), Sadabphin (Phin)

Sixmilebridge Clare

TUOHY, MARY TERESA

Ennis Clare

cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of five (5) weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the Planning Authority

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWLAGAN, MULLAGH, CO

CLARE

Take notice that Julie Cashman and Dermot O Brien intend to apply for permission to build a Dwelling, Garage, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the

authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BARNTICK, CLARECASTLE, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95 XHR1

Take notice that Marian and John Gavin intend to apply for retention permission for the following: The conversion of the attached garage for domestic use; The extension to the dwelling at ground and first floor levels; The altered fenestration to the dwelling and the revised entrance location & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may

be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/60153

Development Description: Retention permission to retain three no. cooler units at the rear of the premises at the above address.

Location: The Corner Bar, The Square, Ennis Road, Kildysart, Co. Clare.

Take notice

Caitriona Finn have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/60153. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New

Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

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CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

ARDILAUN GUEST

HOUSE GORT ROAD

ENNIS

CO. CLARE

Ardilaun Guest House is applying for permission to extend the caretaker and owner’s dwelling apartment comprising an access balcony at ground level and an additional bedroom ensuite at the first-floor level. Proposed modifications to the guest house will comprise the conversion of the storage semi-basement to 3 No guest bedrooms and a games room, the conversion of the existing games room on the ground floor to a guest bedroom and the conversion of attic space to 3 no guest bedrooms ensuite, including modifications to the existing staircase and a proposed staircase extension to the side, for the proposed 2 no additional guest pods at the rear garden and modifications and extension to the existing car park and landscape design to accommodate ramped access and all necessary site work at Ardilaun Guest House Gort Road Ennis Co. Clare

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours, a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TOORNAHOOAN

LISDOONVARNA

CO. CLARE

Take notice that Enda Colleran MSc (Env Eng), BSc, MIEI of Environmental Planning Consultants (086 602 0453), on behalf of Paul Colleran intends to apply to the Planning Authority for planning permission to construct a single dwelling house, garage, advanced wastewater treatment system along with ancillary site works all at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Opening hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, KILLESTRY, KILLALOE, CO. CLARE

Planning Permission is sought by James Lowry for a replacement single storey detached house, a waste water treatment system and all associated works at Killestry, Killaloe, Co. Clare.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL: FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS. PANNING REFERENCE P24/60099

We, Mulkear Partnership have submitted revised plans/further information with regard to Planning Ref. No: P24/60099 which sought Permission to construct a gymnasium / fitness-dance studio and inclusive of roof mounted solar panels together with all ancillary site works and services including parallel car parking footpath, EV charging point, site boundaries, landscaping, rainwater harvesting system and connections to public utilities at Station Road, Lahinch, Co. Clare. Significant further information/ revised plans in relation to the application have been furnished to the Planning

Authority and are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Authority during its public opening hours, and a submission or observation in relation to the revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the Planning Authority. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLAGHALINE, DOOLIN, CO. CLARE

We Kenneth and Patricia Nagle intend to apply for permission for proposed construction of one dwelling house with garage, proprietary waste water treatment system, and new entrance, with all associated works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CAHERCALLA ROAD, ENNIS. CO. CLARE

Planning permission is being sought by Gemma Neylon & Ronan Finlay for the construction of a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing dwelling, the construction of a new two storey extension to replace the existing single storey volume to the side of the existing dwelling, alterations to the existing front elevation, the removal of existing shed to the rear of the existing dwelling, construction of a new garage to the side of the existing dwelling, external insulation, replacement of existing windows

and associated site works at Cahercalla Road, Ennis. Co. Clare.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ENNIS ROAD + FLAG ROAD, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Aoife O’Malley intends to apply to the Planning Authority of Clare County Council for planning permission for development at Ennis Road + Flag Road, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare which is in an Architectural Conservation Area. The development will consist of the installation of balconies to the first and second floors, and solar panels on the roof, all to the rear/ east elevation. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL PHAYERS ROAD, MEELICK, CO CLARE I, Humphrey O’Connor, am applying to the above authority for Outline Permission for the following development on property at Phayers Road, Meelick, Co Clare: Outline Permission for the construction of a detached single storey dwelling, detached domestic garage, new entrance, onsite wastewater treatment system, connection to necessary services together with all associated ancillary and

incidental site works

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GORTNAGLOUGH, BROADFORD, CO

CLARE, V94 HCW6: We, St Flanna’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust, are applying to the above authority for Retention Permission for the following development on property at Gortnaglough, Broadford, Co Clare, V94 HCW6: Retention Permission for the as-constructed single storey extensions to the front and rear of the existing dwelling together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/

REVISED PLANS PLANNING

REFERENCE: P24/6

DEVELOPMENT DE-

SCRIPTION: Permission to renovate, extend the existing dwelling, creating a granny flat within a section of the existing dwelling, upgrade the septic tank & all other associated site and ancillary works.

LOCATION: Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare V95 D2H4. Take notice that Laura Galvin has lodged significant further information in

respect of planning application P24/6. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae and Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of the receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMDAIGUS, KILMURRY

MCMAHON, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE

Take note that Sean McCarthy intends to apply to the planning authority for planning permission to construct a new machinery shed including all associated site works on this site at Drumdaigus, Kilmurry McMahon, Kilrush, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION –NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT PLANNING REF: 23466

Date Planning application Received: 30/08/2023

Development Description:

To construct a new ball wall with safety netting & fencing, replacement of existing septic tank with a new wastewater treatment unit and percolation area, a new sand storage area/wall

with adjacent open storage shed and all associated site works.

Location of Development:

Attyslany South, Tubber, Co. Clare

Take notice that following a requirement of the Planning Authority, Tubber GAA Club will be lodging a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) in respect of planning application P23466. This NIS will be available for inspection or purchase, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the NIS may be made in writing to the Authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Natura Impact Statement and a copy of this public notice.

Take notice that Stephen Kelleher intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a single story extension to the rear of his dwelling and to create off street parking to the front of his dwelling at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, New Road, Ennis, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

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