THREE different options for the controversial development of Doolin Pier, costing an estimated €5 million, were presented to interested parties at a public consultation meeting on Wednesday last.Clare County Council had obtained planning permission for the construction of the long-awaited new Doolin Pier about 75m to the west of the existing pier under the Part 8 process.However, this was challenged by objectors who successfully argued the proposed development should have been accompanied by an environmental impact statement (EIS).The council is also considering the proposed extension of the existing pier or the possible construction of a new pier to the north of the existing one.Plans for the new pier have proven to be very divisive in the past and prompted a huge number of objections during the statutory planning process from a number of surfing organisations.However, the need for a new pier was also staunchly supported by several local organisations and local residents, who have expressed concern about the delay in …

WHILE she started out initially in theatre, changing her career path to the world of fashion design just over a year ago wasn’t a major leap of faith for Ennistymon-born jeweller Christina Brosnan. 

SOUTH Galway third-level students could have the option of attending a new technological university within the next few years if an innovative educational proposal gets the green light.Five institutes of technology in the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) Regions are at an advanced stage in discussions regarding the establishment of a technological university.Pending Government approval, a Border Midlands West Technological University (BMW TU) would create the largest higher education institution in the State with 27,000 students.A steering group comprising the presidents and senior staff of Athlone, Dundalk, Galway-Mayo, Letterkenny and Sligo Institutes of Technology is directing the negotiations.AIT president, Professor Ciarán O’Catháin, said the institutes were looking to create a differentiated institution, one that will be known for the excellence of its teaching and learning and for its close collaboration with industry. “Such a technological university will be much more than the sum of its parts, it will be a powerful agent of change in higher education for all the …

COMMENT Last week, Fianna Fáil put down a private members’ motion in the Dáil calling on the Government to reverse cuts made in the budget to education.

NELLIE Bly was the name of a song by Stephen Foster and the name of a character in the song Frankie and Johnny recorded by, among others, Elvis. The name was also used as a pen name by an American journalist Elizabeth Cochran.

LEADING UK authors are to take part in this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival, it has been announced. This year’s line-up includes two influential English novelists who will discuss their writing in the county town during the festival which takes place from March 2 to 4.

The 70-strong cast has been selected, the roles have been defined, costumes designed and singers have been fine-tuning their vocals because somewhere lurking in the surrounding forests of Sixmilebridge, to be precise, is a big, bad wolf.Yes, it is that time of the year again and for the past few weeks the characters have been busy brushing up on their lines, readying themselves for curtain call for Sixmilebridge Youth Theatre’s pantomime adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood, which runs over successive weekends at the beginning of February. The timeless classic has been selected by the club to mark its 30th anniversary and during that period, hundreds of children have been provided with a platform for the performing arts and given an opportunity to express their musical and acting talents.The pantomime is beautifully narrated by Fairy Sunshine, played by Lorraine Haugh, and it follows the familiar story line of this timeless and adventurous classic as Áine Freeman slips into the role …

THE Teetotallers will perform in Ennis this Friday as part of a number of nationwide gigs celebrating their debut album.