East Clare

A SERIES of questions have been put to the Minister for the Environment, by Clare’s Sinn Fein TD over proposals to prospect for silver and gold ore in East Clare.  Deputy Violet Anne Wynne tabled the Parliamentary Questions (PQs) to Minister Eamon Ryan on foot of controversy over attempts by a Navan-based mining company, Minco, to secure a prospecting licence for a number of towanlands in Tulla and Bunratty Upper. (Read about the public meeting against the move here) The deadline for submissions was extended to Sunday last, after a public outcry, and intervention from Senator Róisín Garvey.  Minister Ryan confirmed the extension to January 23, outlining that an additional 14 days had been given. The Kilrush-based representative asked a range of questions of the Minister on his knowledge of the East Clare proposals and mining and prospecting policy generally.  In response to a question on what kind of environmental impact statements are required when a company applies for a …

A FASHIONISTA turned animal rescuer has been left “speechless” by the generosity of supporters, after the donation of a car to enable her vital work to continue.  Caitríona Lowry, who runs Hilltop Sanctuary, alongside Pat Tobin, turned her back on a love of fashion and shopping, around a decade ago to respond to the needs of abandoned animals. “I was all about the clothes and shoes and socialising at one stage,” she said. “It’s funny how priorities change. Now, every penny goes towards the work we do.”  Caring for 103 animals, including donkeys, horses and abandoned household pets, certainly racks up the expenses. An operation for a sick mare, for example, was €5,000 and badly injured and neglected animals need huge levels of ongoing care, which can be costly.  Crucial to the work of the East Clare organisation is a reliable car. “The Gardaí get in touch with me and I might have to collect an animal if they can’t …

MORE than 30 people attended an online meeting last week to voice opposition to plans for mineral prospecting in East Clare, writes Fiona McGarry. The gathering heard that a county-wide ban should be sought, in the same way that fracking had previously been prohibited in Clare. The virtual event was organised by the newly-formed Keep Tulla Untouched and hosted by co-founder Jacintha Van Roij. Ms Van Roij, who described herself as a small-holder in the area, said that while a representative of Minco Ireland, the company currently seeking a prospecting licence, had been invited to attend, no response had been received. Farmers, public representatives and environmental campaigners alike were alarmed earlier this month at news that Department of the Environment intended to grant a licence to the Navan-based company for the prospecting of minerals, including silver and gold ore. After a political and public outcry, the Department extended the submission period to January 23 and an emergency motion was carried …

The Irish Taekwondo Academy has started providing free self-defence classes for women only in Killaloe amid increased fear being expressed by mothers after the recent death of primary school teacher, Ashling Murphy, writes Dan Danaher. Smith O’Brien’s GAA and Camogie club are hosting these classes in their new astroturf without any fee on Friday nights at 8pm for another five weeks. Also in attendance will be three female black belt assistant instructors along with female senior rank students to assist everyone with the class. Irish Taekwondo Academy head instructor master, Damien Madden recalled a number of mothers had asked him if he would be in a position to organise female only self-defence classes in light of what happened to Ms Murphy. “After posting these classes on social media, we had 30 women who said they definitely wanted to do it. There were more than 40 women at the first class including a few women who travelled from Nenagh. “Basic self-defence …

RELIEF was palpable in Bodyke last weekend with the easing of pandemic restrictions and the return of customers to the long bar at The Cobbler’s Rest.  Like thousands of so-called ‘wet pubs’, the venue was hit hard by the pandemic, enduring months of complete closure. The pub, which had never served food, chose not to provide the now infamous €9 meal in an effort to keep the doors open. The result was that it remained shut down between March and September of 2020 and worked around various waves of restrictions in the 15 months that followed. “It’s like a cloud has been lifted over Bodyke last weekend,” said Susan McMahon, who runs the popular rural venue alongside Martin Butler. “The relief was palpable and there was a great sense of excitement on Saturday night. Ironically, I’d say a lot of people chose to go to a restaurant that night, so we were fairly quiet, but it was great for that …

When it comes to Harty Cup, more than talent is needed to get a team over the line, writes Ivan Smyth, and St Joseph’s Tulla have shown they possess that extra ingredient needed to progress deep in the competition. Their resolve in getting to this stage has been admirable having overcome St. Colman’s College Fermoy in extra time to secure their first ever Harty Cup win before backing it up when beating Christian Brothers College (CBC) Cork after trailing by seven points at half time. Terence Fahy, who presides over the team alongside Tomás Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona) and Aidan Harte (Gort), acknowledges that his side have shown their grit to battle through two tough encounters after losing their first game to this Saturday’s opponents De La Salle College. “We were backed in to a corner against Fermoy but the guys showed great resolve to come back at the death to earn extra time and then get over the line. Then in …

GARDAÍ have renewed their appeal for information after a road traffic collision claimed the life of a young man in Clare last week. Declan Ward, who was in his late twenties, died in the two-vehicle incident that happened at around 5.45am last Wednesday morning on the main R352, around halfway between Bodyke and Tulla, in the townland of Ballinahinch. Gardaí, National Ambulance Service paramedics and units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Scariff station responded to the incident. On arrival they found that the driver and sole occupant of one car had been fatally injured. The driver of the second vehicle was also injured and taken by to hospital by ambulance for treatment. He was also travelling alone and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks has urged anybody who may have been travelling in the area at the time to contact gardaí. “Just before 5.45am on Wednesday morning last January …

EFFORTS to conserve and enhance amenities in Scariff are stepping up a gear as we enter 2022.  Intensive work on the ground is paying major dividends as the community also celebrates the recent allocation of funding for regeneration of the heart of the town.  Added to this boost is news of the completion of a project funded by the National Heritage Council and focusing on the Workhouse Water Tower, which dates to the mid-1800s. Last May, Scariff Community Council was awarded funding to prepare a Conservation/Condition Report on the historic structure. The report has now been created by P Coleman & Associates and the Community Council are preparing to share the findings on their website and social channels. This conservation report now forms a vital record and assessment of the building and will be an essential tool in planning and carrying out any future works proposed to the structure and site. The report will also inform future funding applications to help conserve …