Renewed rural development strategy will meet challenges head on C

Dowling stated, “We make strong applications and we deliver. The whole area of advocacy that we carry out is very important, our responsiveness and the fact we care, we care about our rural communities and about Clare, that has been shown”.

Rural infrastructure, wastewater treatment, connectivity, transport, town centre renewal, vacancy and dereliction were earmarked by Dowling as the challenges for the future. “Our new plan is a new journey, it will meet the new challenges that lay ahead, I’m confident of that. We will continue to fight the cause for rural Clare, to do that we have to be brave, ambitious and my favourite word bold”.

Director of Rural Development, Leonard Cleary said the Council have led the way by having the first rural development directorate in the country.

Through DigiClare, he said they enabled remote working “before it became fashionable”.

On tourism, he remarked, “if we’re serious about having a different type of tourism in Clare, the model developed in the Burren GeoPark is a starting point”.

Seán Ó Riordáin and Associates together with economist Maureen O’Reilly were commissioned by the Council to carry out a mid-term review of the strategy. Addressing Friday’s launch, Seán observed, “it still remains the only such strategy in Ireland which is a disappointment to me because other local authorities could learn from the best practice in place.

“Having said that, the lack of take-up underpins the advanced position that Clare does have of what will be coming forward, Clare is playing an advanced role in rural regeneration in Ireland, there is no doubt in my head that Clare is so much better placed and organised”.

l LOOKING FORWARD: Healthy Clare Coordinator Dena Mc Grath attends the launch of the Renewed Clare Rural Development Strategy 2030

‘I fear for rural Clare’s future’ admits

RURAL Clare’s future came into focus at a special meeting of Clare County Council whereby the County Development Plan was adopted, writes Páraic McMahon.

Even though it was regarded as a bright week for the fortunes of rural Clare with the revision of a rural development strategy, elected representatives shared their con- cerns on what the future may hold.

Taking extra time to complete the County Development Plan was “vindicated” according to Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “I have spoken before about the closing down of rural Clare that allows Irish Water to dictate on the survival of 52 settlements in Clare, it can never be just about urban living, it is important that rural Clare is allowed to prosper,” the Shannon representative stated.

A decline in rural Clare is happening, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) stated. “I’m normally more positive, but there is a decline in rural Ire-

Councillor Pat Burke

land and rural Clare, east and west, I’m very disappointed, shame on the Government, we’re still wondering if Broadford will get the go ahead for the wastewater treatment plant, things like this are no-brainers.

“We’ve seen decline in primary school numbers and closures of post office. I fear for rural Ireland and the decline that has taken place, young people are emigrating and rural clubs are not being able to field hurling teams.

“ On a cold winter’s day like today not many will visit Holy Island, we need to sustain our rural communities 365 days a year. The rural decline is what I fear for,” the Whitegate representative added.