IT looks as though this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations all over the world are shaping up to be noteworthy for a number of reasons. Most interesting is perhaps the “greening” of various landmarks all over the world. It is a great example of a simple idea that will have a big effect. Hats off to those behind the plans who are being rewarded by the growing number of world famous sites that will be turning green for the day. It is very interesting to read in various international newspapers of the diverse plans around the globe for people to celebrate Ireland and its culture this coming Saturday. Most of all it is great to see some positive stories in the press at long last after what feels like an eternity of negative headlines. Of course, the day itself has been adopted as an international day of excess alcohol consumption but, that said, there seems to be a genuine affection …

KILRUSH solicitor Eugene O’Kelly has been appointed as a district court judge, one of the Government’s five nominees for appointment by the President.Mr O’Kelly, who is originally from Broomhill in Kilrush, is likely to be taking up judicial office in the Limerick district, filling the vacancy left there by Judge Tom O’Donnell, who was appointed to the Circuit Court last year.The West Clare man received the news from Minister for Justice Alan Shatter on Tuesday and told The Clare Champion he was “utterly flabbergasted”.“It is a challenge and it is a great honour of course and I’m absolutely delighted. I received a call from Minister Shatter after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and he said he was delighted to say the Cabinet had approved my appointment as a district court judge. I believe I am going to be appointed as the assigned judge to Limerick,” he said.This is the first time that Mr O’Kelly has gone for the judiciary. He …

CONCERN has been expressed by the owners of the €100 million Doonbeg Golf Club about the potential negative impact on tourism of a proposed windfarm in West Clare.Kiawah Development Partners have written to An Bord Pleanála to express its concern about the proposed construction of a 45-turbine windfarm with a hub height of 85m and a rotor diamater of 82m at Carrowmore South, Einagh, Monmore North, Doonbeg, Shragh, Mountrivers and Drumillihy.The Clare Champion has learned the development of 45 wind turbines near Doonbeg by Clare Coastal Wind Power has prompted a signed objection from 874 people, all of whom are over 18 years of age. This includes about 90 objectors who are employed at Doonbeg Golf and Lodge and the petition primarily represents people living locally.The application has led to divisions in the local community with letters of support from a large number of businesses in the Doonbeg area, while residents have objected on a number of grounds.The developers told …

LIMERICK and Clare County Councils won’t end up subsidising Shannon’s Airport. Speaking about Shannon’s future in the Dáil this week, Minister Leo Varadkar also indicated the State is set retain a large measure of control over it.“Local authorities may have a role to play in ensuring the future of Shannon Airport but I do not believe it will be their role to subvent or run it. Notwithstanding the fact that there are very strong local authorities in the region, they do not have the skills to do this and it is not what was intended. When the consultants were examining this issue, they might have been thinking more of Manchester and Leeds-Bradford Airports but they are within the remit of very different local authorities for areas of population of one million to four million people,” Mr Varadkar said.He was speaking following questions from Deputy Timmy Dooley, who raised the fact that Shannon has been making losses of €8 million per …

BETTER interaction between local government and the voluntary sector can “go a long way towards improving public services”, Labour TD Michael McNamara claimed this week. The Clare branch of the party is holding a meeting to gauge the views of a range of voluntary organisations as part of a Government effort to examine how “local government and community development can be better aligned”. It is expected issues such as funding, voluntary sector representation and cooperation between community groups and Government will be discussed. Deputy McNamara said he is very conscious of the outstanding work done by community groups in County Clare. “Government alone cannot function adequately without the work of so many organisations that devote themselves selflessly to sport, care for disadvantaged people, promote community development and contribute to the welfare of society in a thousand different ways,” he said.He said next week’s meeting will be a good opportunity for the community and voluntary sector to outline their issues and …

THE developers behind controversial plans for a €34 million retail development on the outskirts of Ennis could have to pay more than €700,000 to Ennis Town Council if the decision to refuse planning permission is overturned by An Bord Pleanála.

PEDESTRIANISATION is set to return to Ennis for St Patrick’s Day and it has been confirmed there will be free parking in the town on the day.