East Clare

PICNIC tables are among the improved facilities that will be provided at the 12 O’Clock Hills walking trail, thanks to a funding boost from government and Fáilte Ireland. Just over €18,000 has been allocated to the project under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) for small scale repairs as well as promotion and marketing. It is part of a total allocation of €88,250 for five walking and cycling amenities in Clare. While a strict travel restrictions are currently in force, the hills have proven to be a hugely popular amenity over the last year in particular. “The 12 O’Clock Hills is now an established and very successful amenity,” said committee chairperson, Patsy Neville. “The availability of this amenity has been particularly appreciated during the current Covid-19 pandemic as it provides the space for people to get outdoors and exercise which has been extremely important from a physical and mental health perspective during these challenging times. It is a valuable public …

By Dan Danaher TRANSPORT Minister Eamon Ryan has bowed to considerable political pressure to finally approve the completion of the final phase of a €58 million major road linking Coonagh with Meelick. Questioned several times by Clare and Limerick Dáil deputies from all parties, Minister Ryan had stated he was continuing to consider the recommendation from Limerick County Council regarding the award of the main construction contract for the scheme. This had prompted stinging criticism locally that it meant the final phase of Coonagh to Meelick Distributor road was being effectively shelved. However, Deputy Cathal Crowe has now welcomed Minister Ryan’s confirmation on Limerick’s Live 95 FM that “Phase One of this long-awaited project can finally go ahead”. Deputy Crowe said this news on Wednesday brought an end to a significant amount of doubt over the future of the entire project in recent weeks, which has been 12 years in the making. “I’m grateful that Minister Ryan has taken time …

TRANQUILITY moorings, which are planned by Waterways Ireland for the Clare section of Lough Derg, are the subject of a number of objections over concerns about their impact on wildlife and local amenities. Last month, Waterways Ireland lodged applications to build moorings at three locations – Castle Bawn Bay, Ogonnelloe; at the mouth of the Scariff River; and on another site North West of Inis Cealtra, close to Knockaphort Jetty, around 130m from the lakeshore. At an active travel briefing for Clare last week, Regional Manager with Waterways Ireland, Éanna Roe explained that the moorings are being piloted on Lough Derg, with a view to enhancing the on-water experience for those using the Shannon. Concerns over all three planning applications have now been lodged by the Lough Derg Anglers Association and by a member of The Golden Eagle Trust. In their submission the anglers association described tranquillity moorings as “a contradiction in terms,” saying “tranquillity for humans causes disturbance for …

A MEMBER of a small group, who engage in weekly demonstrations in Scariff, has taken issue with the characterisation of their protests as ‘anti-mask’. In a letter to The Champion, Seán MacLeod denied the group are showing disregard for frontline workers and rejected suggestions that they are an intimidating presence for older people. The letter follows widespread condemnation of the group’s activities by the local community, a furious debate on social media, and a counter-demonstration highlighting the importance of the public health guidelines. While the protests have been peaceful, The Champion understands that local Gardaí are keeping the situation under review and have advised people that they must not breach the Covid-19 restrictions. In an email, Mr MacLeod said: “I would like to assure you that it is not the intention of anyone standing in the square to upset or intimidate anyone and also to say that many of us standing in the square are in the ‘vulnerable’ group of …

PLANS for 36 new homes in Tulla are the subject of three submissions, one of them from heritage watchdog, An Taisce. Earlier this year, Rockfort Developments lodged plans to build 14 detached homes as well as 16 semi-detached and six terraced houses on the outskirts of Tulla, off the L4078, with a pedestrian connection to the exiting footpath into town. The site, of just over 1.8 hectares, is located inside the 50kmph speed limit in an area zoned for low-density residential development under the Tulla Settlement Plan. It is currently a greenfield site, bounded to the north by the Cúirt na bhFiach estate, to the east by O’Halloran’s filling station, and to the west by a single private home. To the south, the site is delineated by the public road, with St Joseph’s Secondary School just opposite. In a submission on the development, An Taisce said that a report on local roads infrastructure, submitted with the plans, “fails to address …

EFFORTS are to be made to provide greater access to the lakeside town of Killaloe, with the local authority committing to look into the possibility of providing additional parking space for those with disabilities. The matter was raised by Councillor Tony O’Brien at the January meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District who appealed for more to be done to promote access to the lower end of the town. “This is a significant issue of concern for a lot of people in the area,” he said. “We need to take action to make sure that people are able to access the town, especially now that they are limited to a 5km for travel. I call on the council to designate a disabled parking bay at the lower end of Killaloe town. This would enable people with disabilities to have access to do business at the lower end of the town.” The Fianna Fáil member’s area colleagues were supportive of the motion …

‘AN ANGEL’ and ‘an inspiration’ were among the words used to describe Labhaoise Fitzgerald, whose funeral ceremony took place in her native Tulla on Thursday, January 7. The teenager passed away after a six-year battle with cancer, borne, her mother Louise told mourners, “with a smile on her face, a positive attitude, and a brilliant sense of humour”. Diagnosed in 2014 with a medulloblastoma, Labhaoise bravely underwent brain surgery twice, more than 60 rounds of radiotherapy and gruelling chemotherapy. All the while, she kept up her deep connection to her family: her mum and dad, Louise and Patrick, her brother Pádraig; her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and her many friends at St Joseph’s Secondary School. Labhaoise worked tirelessly to raise funds for Barretstown House where she had attended summer camps over the years and met other children like herself who were determined not to let illness get in the way of their lives. Last April, Labhaoise told The Champion …

COVID-19 restrictions meant that significantly scaled-back commemorative event took place on Wednesday last to mark the centenary of The Glenwood Ambush – one of the most significant incidents in the War of Independence in Munster. The very short ceremony got underway at 3pm with just a few of the memorial committee in attendance and socially distanced. The laying of a wreath was performed by Mick Ryan whose father Jackie Ryan was one of the 37 IRA volunteers involved in the ambush. Earlier in the day, John Lyons, John Lenihan and Patsy Neville raised the tricolour and Paddy Carroll lit the memorial lamp. The committee have said that the actual official celebration of the 100th anniversary will take place post-Covid and at a date to be decided. This will include the official launch of a memorial plaque which is currently at the completion stage by Kilnamona-based sculptor. Michael McTigue. This plaque is being created to depict the safe house or ‘an baile sámháilte,’ to …