East Clare

A LANDMARK site in the heart of Crusheen is set to be transformed, now that the council has given conditional permission to plans for a new residential estate as well as retail and office units. Woodhaven Developments submitted plans in February of this year for a total of 29 homes, four offices and four retail units close to the village centre, west of the R458, saying they represented a potential multimillion euro investment in the area. During the public consultation phase, four submissions were received in relation to the plans which make provision for a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, as well as units suitable for use as restaurant, medical and leisure facilities, as well as specialist retail. One resident pointed out the recent well-documented growth in the population of Crusheen. “While such growth is welcome,” the submission said, “it does place a strain on the village’s existing community and social infrastructure.” The submission noted that the graveyard …

WARM tributes have been paid following the death of Sr Bosco Griffin of Tulla, described by the Bishop of Killaloe as “a truly remarkable woman”, who made a deep impression at home and abroad, writes Fiona McGarry. Born in County Roscommon in 1941, Sr Bosco was a much-loved member of the community since she came to Tulla in 1981 to teach at St Joseph’s Secondary School. At requiem mass on Saturday last (July 10), Bishop Fintan Monahan paid tribute to Sr Bosco’s decades-long contribution to many pastoral and community organisations, which included the running of the annual Matt Talbot Novena in Tulla. She was also involved with Apostolic Work Society, the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Killaloe Diocesan Vocations Committee, the Youth 2000 Prayer Group and the Ennis Cathedral Eucharistic Adoration Group. Bridget Mary Griffin was the eldest of three children born to the late Michael Griffin and Eileen Hurley of Ballymacurley. Bridie, as she was affectionately known, entered the Sisters …

CONCERNS over a landmark property in East Clare, which remains empty despite being earmarked for sheltered housing for the last two decades, are being addressed, the Council has pledged. The issue of Mountshannon House was raised at the AGM of the Killaloe Municipal District when Councillor Pat Burke sought an update, after flagging the matter previously last April. At that time, councillors heard that while the property had been bought by the Respond Voluntary Housing Association, in 2002, thanks to a Council-supported loan, the proposed accommodation had not materialised. Speaking last week, Councillor Burke said that with developments on the way for The Old Rectory building, which is set to become an interpretative centre for Inis Cealtra, there is growing concern about Mountshannon House. “The issue hasn’t gone away,” he said. “In recent times, I’ve gotten a number of requests from members of the community who want an update on what’s going on. “There’s a lot happening with the rectory …

AN ANTIQUE piece of furniture linked to a man who conspired, along with the legendary wisewoman Biddy Early, in a notorious East Clare murder is to go on display in Kilkishen next month. The blanket box, a large wooden chest, belonged to a James Mac Namara who was accused, along with the husband of the legendary Feakle healer, of murdering their landlord. The item, which was salvaged by local Kilkishen historian Cathal O’Hagan, has been carefully restored and will go on display at the Kilkishen Cultural Centre. “I think it’s fitting on the 161st anniversary of the murder that people would be able to see this,” Mr O’Hagan said. “According to lore, this historic blanket box came out of the farmhouse of James Mac Namara who one night in October 1860 with Biddy Early’s husband Tom Flannery and three other evicted tenants and, with help from Biddy, killed the landlord.” Legend has it that Biddy, who foretold Mr Sheehy’s demise …

GARDAÍ are seeking the public’s help in identifying a car which is thought to have been used in a South East Clare burglary. A shop in Broadford was broken into in the early hours of last Thursday morning and a cigarette machine and the drawer of the cash register stolen. A silver Audi is believed to have been used in the incident, and gardaí are appealing to anybody with information to contact them. Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks explains that the break-in to the shop on the main street of Broadford village occurred between 3.30am and 3.45am on Thursday morning, June 24. “The shutter mechanism was interfered with and the front door was smashed in. The cigarette machine was forced off the wall and stolen along with the drawer of the cash register. A silver Audi A3 five door vehicle was believed to be used in this burglary. If anyone was in the area between 3am and 4am …

THE ESB has unveiled plans for the proposed development of a “world-class” visitor attraction at Ardnacrusha Power Station, writes Dan Danaher. Clare’s Dáil deputies have received a briefing on the project on Tuesday where it was confirmed the ESB is currently undertaking a feasibility study to establish the business case for a visitor experience at the site of Ireland’s first electricity generating station. The plan includes a 360-degree virtual amphitheatre, a café, which will offer sustainable locally sourced food, a retail unit hosting local artisan crafts and products, and family oriented outdoor spaces. Comprising five floor floors, the attraction seeks to inspire and educate through social, engineering, architecture and STEAM-related stories and interactive exhibits. ESB first began facilitating public tours of its Ardnacrusha Power Station in June 1928, and welcomed more than 85,000 visitors within the first nine months. To mark the 90th anniversary of its foundation, ESB revived this tradition in 2017 when visitors were welcomed to the Ardnacrusha …

Councillor says more proactive approach would help tackle dereliction REMEDIAL work to a dangerous building on Main Street in Tulla is expected to begin at the start of July, prompting hopes that disruption for pedestrians and motorists will come to an end in a matter of weeks. In April, Clare County Council issued a ‘Dangerous Structures Notice’ to the owner of the vacant building, ordering them to address safety concerns. The authority closed off a section of the footpath and put a temporary traffic management system in place in the interests of public safety. The arrangement has been the source of considerable annoyance locally, particularly as the matter continued to drag on into the summer. “People are very put out about this,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “They’re particularly annoyed at the fact the situation has been allowed to continue for so long. “You have (heavy goods vehicles) HGVs coming through town, from the Gort side, to do their essential deliveries …

CLARITY on a schedule of works for footpaths in East Clare has been sought by Councillor Joe Cooney. Addressing the most recent monthly meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, the Fine Gael member called on the local authority to outline the footpaths programme for 2021. “We don’t know yet the housing developments which are to have their paths fixed this year,” he outlined. “In some cases, the estates are between 40 and 60 years old. Many of them have paths which need upgrading. I have previously invested my General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding and I would have no problem doing it again,” said Councillor Cooney. “I’m thinking of the likes of Beechwood Lawn in Bodyke and areas in O’Callaghan’s Mills and Hillcrest Grove in Kilkishen.” Councillor Cooney also asked whether the walking trail from Killaloe will be connected to Tuamgraney. “There is a section still to be done as you come down the hill from Raheen. I’m aware that funding …