ST Joseph’s Training Centre in Ennis, which provides courses for members of the Travelling and settled community, is facing closure.

ENNIS firemen are up in arms after receiving a letter from Clare County Council requesting additional deductions for the controversial pension levy.

FUNDING for roadworks in Clare won’t increase significantly this year but a failure to give enough resources could backfire, it has been warned.

FIRST-round heats of the Coláiste Iognaid A4 Tri-Distance and the Coláiste Iognaid A7 525 dominated the card at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Friday night.A total of eight Clare owners qualfied for the second-round heats of both events this weekend. The locally owned Donoughmore Lass won the opening-round heat of the Coláiste Iognaid A4 Tri-Distance with a clock of 29.63.Heat two went to Manus Returns, trained by Donie Duggan for Brian McInerney, Manus, Clarecastle. The Nenagh-owned Grantstown Rose was the early leader from Manus Returns, the 4/6 favourite in trap two and had gone into a six-length lead approaching the third bend. However, between the last two bends, Manus Returns closed in fast and the fawn son of Hondo Black Smooth Jean took over to win by half a length in 29.47.Heat three came up with another Clare winner, Wood Crash doing the business for Carl Maguire, Kilrush and Adrian Ennis. The fawn son of Crash-Ashcarne Blonde was fast …

ESB International (ESBI) has applied to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) for foreshore exploration licences in the first step towards developing a five-megawatt wave energy project off Killard, Doonbeg. A similar exploration licence has been applied for off Achill in Mayo.

THE presence of a spawning ground for lamprey within a Special Area of Conservation site on the River Fergus has halted plans to monitor salmon in the river, which Inland Fisheries Ireland say could have led to economic benefits for the region with a possible reopening of the river to salmon fishing.

THE draw has been made made for the Bogberry Spring matchplay men’s competition at Lahinch and rounds one and two must be completed by May 2. Details of the pairings are posted on the notice board. Shane Duggan (9) and Frank Keane (11) were the winners of the men’s fourball Stableford competition at Lahinch with 45 points from Ronan Ryder (16) and Tommy Lenehan (10) with 43 points.In the ladies’ singles v par competition on Monday, Rachel Maher (20) was the winner with two up from Gráinne D’Alton (5), who had a similar score. Gráinne Hennessy (15) with a level round was in third spot, while the gross was won by Valerie Hassett (6) with four down.WoodstockMAURA Umlawski was the winner of the ladies’ 18-hole Stableford competition at Woodstock last week with 32 points from Bernie Power on 31 points. Sunday’s 18-hole Stableford competition was won by Teresa Sherlock with 36 points from Maura Umlawski on 35 points.There will be …

The controversy surrounding two iconic buildings in North Clare could be about to end after a report commissioned by Clare County Council recommended their “careful deconstruction” and reconstruction set back from their current site.