East Clare

LOUGH Derg is to be the location for the release of another clutch of White-tailed Eagle chicks over the coming weeks.  As part of an ongoing project to boost the species at a number of Munster locations, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), have been collaborating closely, since 2020, with partner organisations in Norway, as well as local experts. Last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined the NPWS for the release of a number of chicks at Tarbert, County Kerry, as part of the long-term wildlife reintroduction project.  The 2022 phase of the landmark effort to restore a once-extinct bird to Irish skies, will see the release of a total of 16 young eagles across sites on Lough Derg in County Clare, the lower Shannon estuary and Killarney National Park.  As in previous years, the young eagles were collected, under licence, in Norway by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and co-workers. All the birds have been fitted with …

MORE than 6,000 people flocked to North East Clare for the 35th Feakle Festival, which wrapped up, leaving audiences and organisers “exhausted but very happy”, last Monday (August 8).  After two years of virtual events, visitors from all over Ireland, Europe, the US and as far afield as Japan descended on the village for what has been described as “out of this world”.  Local publican and member of the organising committee, Gary Pepper, said any worries about competition with the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar were quickly set aside. “It seems that the word went around at the Fleadh that Feakle was hopping,” he said.   “So, lots of people left the Fleadh and came here and it really added to the event in terms of the quality of the music. We expected a good festival, but it was a bit like preparing for an All-Ireland final with the Fleadh up against us. It seems that, if the Fleadh …

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to install a 21-metre mast in the centre of Scariff has been defended by its developers, on the basis that it will future proof the area’s communications needs.  Proposals lodged by Eir at the end of last year, sparked considerable local alarm over moves to replace a 12m pole at the exchange of The Connacht Road with a much larger structure. A total of ten objections were lodged, including one with a petition containing 48 signatures.  Against that backdrop, County Planners contacted Eir in February seeking Further Information (FI) on a number of of aspects of the mast plan. The company has now responded.  Planners had raised concerns over the proposed location of the mast, which would be just 15m from a number of local homes and the potential for “an over-bearing, imposing effect”. They also said the proposed mast would be “highly visible” from locations including the R352, a designated scenic route.  In its recent response …

TO MARK National Heritage Week, and in particular to thank the Heritage Council for part funding the restoration of a number of sites, the 12 O’Clock Hills project committee are organising a walk with a heritage theme on Saturday, August 13.  The meeting point is the Belvoir carpark at 9.45am, for the walk which starts at 10am. The route will be mostly a flat walk along the Red Trail where most of the heritage sites are located. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who would like to know the background history of the area and to learn about the people who lived here and their lifestyles around the early- to mid-1900’s. Because of the theme it will be a slow-paced walk (approximately two to three hours) where hopefully loads of questions will be asked and answered. During this walk, the committee hopes to bring life to a question that is often asked of walkers: “Did you pop in to …

PLANS have been floated for a new end of season celebration in Killaloe next month, marking people’s ever-evolving relationship with wild water. One of the organisers, Rev Paul Fitzpatrick hopes this inaugural event will grow and develop into an annual celebration, marking the end of the season. The Dean’s Vicar of Killaloe and Stradbally Group of Parishes is keen to extend hospitality and “the extraordinary ambience” of Killaloe to all visitors. “All personal contact is now made and there is such amazing collaboration support and generosity around for this celebration,” said Reverend Fitzpatrick. “The inaugural event will complement so much all that has and is presently happening. Flags are really flying for Clare, Tipperary and Killaloe. “Our human relationship with wild water is ever-evolving. In past times water seemed to bear greater symbolic significance when a body of water represented a liminal interlude on the way to another world. It was used as a transport vector for cultural, pastoral, and …

A SPEED survey is to be carried out on a busy residential street in Killaloe following concerns raised by a local councillor.  At the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District committee, Councillor Tony O’Brien asked that ramps be included when planned road resurfacing works are carried out at lower Ardnataggle. “This is a highly residential area,” the Fianna Fáil member told the meeting. “There are two rowing clubs in the area, which attract traffic and there are a number of residents who are quite elderly. We had the same problem around Clarisford Park. What happens is that Johnny or Mary have to be rowing at 9am. It’s 30 seconds to nine, and all they can see is that they need to get down there.” Councillor O’Brien, who is Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said it is not just rowers who are using the route. “There is speeding happening day and night and we need to give a bit of …

KILLALOE Community Garden has become a focal point on Saturdays for people to socialise with green-fingered gardeners who have transformed part of a local field into a “green oasis of peace”. Last year, the community garden received a huge boost following the allocation of a €18, 000 grant from the Department of Community and Rural Affairs through Clare County Council. This helped the committee to erect a new fence to earmark the community garden, a new pergola/potting shed and a steel shed to accommodate tools and equipment. A new polytunnel was also erected recently much to the delight of members. Five of the 23 plots in the community garden are communal where soft fruits, apples, pears and plumbs, rhubarb and onions are also grown. Established in 2010 with the help of the Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre and Bridgetown organic farmer, Jim Cronin, this community initiative now has 30 members. In fact, it has grown so much in popularity, the …

A KILLALOE councillor has called for “a major clean-up and facelift” in the town, particularly the bridge into Ballina and the pedestrian bridge over the canal. Addressing the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District committee, Councillor Tony O’Brien said he didn’t want people to get the wrong impression of the twin towns, and a major effort was needed to tidy up its key amenities. The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council noted that several organisations, including Waterways Ireland and Tipperary County Council had a role to play in maintaining infrastructure and facilities in Killaloe. “I’m tabling this motion on the back of the new Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan,” he told his committee colleagues. “I’ve had a good walk around and I have to say that the bottom of the town is in a neglected state. “I have included the pedestrian green bridge in this motion because it certainly is an eye-sore. There is some doubt, it seems, about …