A campaign is underway to have a footbridge linking Clare and Limerick at Plassey reopened for the benefit of hundreds of local walkers, runners and fishermen who frequently used the crossing.Limerick East Labour Deputy Jan O’Sullivan has written to Waterways Ireland and contacted Limerick County Council in an effort to have the Black Bridge, situated near the Plassey fishermen’s huts, re-opened. Closed to the public since November 22 following severe flooding on the River Shannon, it now requires a structural survey costing an estimated €100,000.“As a regular walker on the Plassey Bank, I have had dozens of conversations with people from all parts of Limerick and South-East Clare who love the area and they are determined to have the bridge re-opened,” stated Deputy O’Sullivan.The footbridge, which dates back to about 1840, has been in almost continuous use for about two centuries. Some of the timber supporting the piers has rotted away, as confirmed in a preliminary report undertaken by Waterways …

Ahead of the mayfly fishing season, a Scariff angler has made a thrilling catch that yielded a 9lb 9oz trout, measuring 29.5in long, in the Scariff River.Joseph O’Shaughnessy and his brother, Brendan from Scariff set out fishing last Wednesday morning thinking it would be similar to every other angling experience on the river in their 20 years fishing there. With their largest trout weighing 2lbs over those two decades, little did they think that there was a trout of more than 9lb to be caught.But that changed when they felt the draw on their line at 11.45am. Initially thinking they had hooked a pike, a closer examination revealed it was not. The fish was hooked by Joseph who, exhausted after half an hour of a tough struggle, passed the rod to Brendan, who continued the titanic battle to land it. A total of 45 minutes passed before they succeeded in reeling in the hefty trout.The O’Shaughnessy brothers are from a …

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) has received a string of complaints on its website regarding the closure of toilet facilities at Mountshannon Harbour last weekend.The voluntary body of waterways enthusiasts has had a number of its members post complaints on its forum page that they were unable to access the toilet facilities, which are run by Clare County Council.Clare Jordan, chairperson of the Lough Derg Branch of IWAI, said, “Among our own members there has been a lot of talk and concern about onshore toilet facilities. All of the harbours have had issues with toilets. We are coming into the May Bank Holiday weekend now and we will be hoping they be open this weekend, as it is probably one of the busiest weekends in the area. Toilets being locked up is usually a hot topic for discussion at our branch meetings and one I would expect at our next meeting,” Ms Jordan added.She highlighted that with the …

EAST Clare businessman Pádraig Giblin and his wife, Anne, are to embark on a business initiative in the area, which will provide up to 100 jobs locally, after they got the green light to develop a hotel and leisure facility in Tuamgraney.It is expected that between 50 and 80 jobs will be created during the construction phase, while a further 20 to 30 seasonal jobs will be provided when the complex is operational.The proposed mixed-use tourism, recreational and commercial development has three elements to it, including an 18-bedroom hotel, with a function room, restaurant, bar and lounge. The next element is eight apartments, which includes five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom short-term chalet self-catering accommodation units, all serviced by the hotel. The third aspect to the development is a leisure complex, with a leisure pool, changing rooms, recreation and exercise rooms.Earlier this week, Clare County Council granted planning permission for the proposed development, subject to 27 planning conditions.Speaking to The Clare …

St Pat’s Shannon will travel to the National Basketball Arena in Dublin next Wednesday to participate in the All-Ireland schools semi-finals at B level.

Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon travelled to Presentation Secondary School in Thurles last week to take part in the all-Ireland second year C basketball play-offs.

It was announced at a reception in Adare last Thursday that two-time Major champion Angel Cabrera, of Argentina and rising US star Nick Watney will be in the field in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, on July 5 and 6.

Cyclists from Clare are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Co-operation Ireland Maracycle, which is returning after an absence of 12 years. If you are a keen cyclist or want to take up a challenge, then this event could be suitable for you. This event will take place over the weekend of June 26-27 and the return route between Belfast and Dublin will cover just over 200 miles.