East Clare

SEVEN people were rescued from a sinking boat on Lough Derg near Mountshannon this week. Lough Derg RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team Rescue 115 and the Killaloe Coast Guard rescue boat were called to the scene after the alarm was raised in the afternoon. Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist seven people on a 60ft vessel which was taking on water and sinking. Valentia Coast Guard gave lifeboat volunteers coordinates for the vessel, which was at a location south of Mountshannon Harbour on the County Clare shore.   At 2.42pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Owen Cavanagh, Joe O’Donoghue and Ciara Lynch on board. The lifeboat was also carrying its salvage pump. The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team, Rescue 115, had taken off from their base at Shannon Airport and the Killaloe Coast Guard Rescue Boat was also launched.   On their way to …

TEMPERATURES soared to 28 degrees Celsius on Sunday as hundreds of local and visiting revellers enjoyed a wide variety of family fun during the concluding day of the annual Féile Brian Ború. Organisers were blessed with some of the hottest days along the banks of Lough Derg compared to the corresponding days in recent years. This ensured there was a huge influx of day trippers to Killaloe and Ballina last weekend for various water and land based activities for all the family. One of the highlights of the festival was the Féile Fireworks display over the lake on Saturday night. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky as the fireworks exploded spectacularly in red, orange, green and blue fireballs, bringing gasps from the crowd who lined up along Killaloe Bridge and at various vantage points in the two twin communities. It costs in the region of €12,000 to run the festival every year and Arlene White said the organising committee …

PLANS to develop more private housing in the town of Tulla have generated some concerns locally and prompted the Council to probe a number of aspects of the project.  In May, Woodhaven Developments lodged plans for 36 new homes on a greenfield site, close to Glebe House, on Church Road. The company, who already have permission to build 17 houses and a commercial centre nearby, on the site of the former St Joseph’s Secondary School, told planners the latest plans will help to meet housing need in Tulla; create 42 construction jobs and represent an investment of around €3.75 million in the town.  Within the window for public consultation, four submissions were made. One, from a couple living on Church Road, described the development as being “of great benefit to the Tulla area” and “very well designed”. The residents asked that, in the event permission is granted, a two-metre high boundary wall would be erected along the entire boundary between …

ANOTHER major housing development is on the cards for Crusheen, one of Clare’s most rapidly-expanding villages.  Conditional permission has been granted to Woodhaven Developments for 42 new homes on a site close of 1.78 hectares, close to the village centre. The green light was given after County Planners satisfied themselves that Crusheen has the right level of service and social infrastructure to support another rise in its population.  Plans were lodged last December for 32 three-bedroom homes; six two-bedroom homes; and four four-bedroom homes, on a site zoned for mixed use. The developer said the estate represented the next phase of a masterplan for lands close to the village centre. In a detailed design statement, Woodhaven outlined plans to begin construction on the homes immediately after the completion of the nearby Cluain Fia estate “and the granting of an acceptable planning permission”. The company estimated that completion of the estate would take 36 months and represent an investment of €10.3 …

A QUIN native is among the stars of a new documentary that had its world premiere at The Galway Film Fleadh last Saturday.  ‘One Mile Down: Siberian Scramble’ is the dramatic story of Declan McEvoy’s record-breaking motorcycle adventures across Siberia’s notorious Lake Baikal. The film follows Declan and fellow thrill seeker Gary O’Keefe as they put together an international team for an epic adventure in the winter of 2020. The documentary, which was executive produced by world-renowned cinematographer and director Claudio Von Planta, follows the team as they battle the odds to set two Guinness World Records – one for the Longest Motorcycle Journey on Ice and the other for the Longest 4×4 Journey on Ice.  A seasoned adventurer, Declan embarked on an epic Siberian journey, over seven days in February 2020, to drive 800km on treacherous ice over Lake Baikal. The lake is the world’s deepest, with a depth of over one mile and a length of 800km, it …

There has been a mixed reaction to the announcement that EDF Renewables Ireland is sponsoring a pitch upgrade at Broadford GAA Club, providing €4,000 towards upgraded pitch facilities. This sponsorship funding will be used to help enhance the pitch surface at Coolagh and according to EDF Renewables’ “demonstrates its commitment to supporting local and community initiatives in the areas surrounding its projects”. Earlier this year, EDF Renewables Ireland announced its plans to develop the c.50MW Lackareagh Wind Farm on land to the east of Broadford in Co. Clare. The proposed wind farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. Welcoming the sponsorship, John O’Brien, Chair of Broadford GAA Club said: “We’re delighted to partner with EDF Renewables to enhance our pitch facilities. The sponsorship funding will go towards drainage, specialist fertilizer and other works needed to ensure all our youth and senior teams can play on a top-quality pitch all …

TWO Clare people have been elected to key roles in an organisation that conducts research with the support and input of people with intellectual disabilities. Brian Hogan from Tulla and Pauline Skehan from Kilrush have just been chosen as members of the Inclusive Research Network of Ireland (IRNI), which to-date has conducted important research in the areas including housing, relationships and social supports.  Both Brian and Pauline are members of the Clare Inclusive Research Group. Brian is now the national network’s new chairperson. He was formerly Chair of the Clare Leader Forum and the Brothers of Charity Clare Advocacy Platform. Pauline, an award-winning presenter with West Clare’s Raidió Corca Baiscínn (RCB), has been appointed to the role of spokesperson.  “I really enjoy research work, advocating for those without a voice, helping them tell us about their lives, encourage people to make their own decisions and choices,” said Pauline, “We recently had our ideas published in two academic journals and now …

BOAT users are being urged to ensure their vessel is serviced and in safe working order as Lough Derg RNLI helped two vessels in difficulty in back-to-back shouts at the weekend. On Sunday afternoon July 3, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist three people on a 25ft motor cruiser adrift with steering failure near Williamstown on the country Clare shoreline. At 2.30pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, Joe O’Donoghue, Chris Parker and Ciara Moylan on board. At 2.35pm the lifeboat arrived on scene. The lifeboat transferred a volunteer across to the casualty vessel who established that all on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. The cruiser had power but its steering had failed. The skipper had dropped anchor to prevent drift across the navigation channel. Given the location and weather, the RNLI lifeboat helm made the decision to take the vessel under tow, and as …