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North Clare

Doolin coast guard closure ‘can’t be and won’t be accepted’

WHILE there was widespread shock following the standing down of the Doolin Coastguard Unit on Tuesday, there have been issues around its operation for a number of years, writes Owen Ryan. After six people resigned, the Irish Coastguard moved to shut down the unit this week, even though there were still 12 volunteers remaining, and it had been one of the busiest units in the country. One source that is close to the Doolin Coastguard said that claims of “bullying and harassment” that led to the departure of six volunteers from the unit was not caused by the 12 remaining members. A person close to the Unit said that problems have been festering since well before the death of Caitriona Lucas in 2016. He said that after a falling out between members who had once been quite friendly, other people involved took sides, which he said “shouldn’t have happened”. He also said that some of those who have just resigned …

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Doolin Coast Guard unit barred from responding to emergencies

Members of one of the country’s most experienced Irish Coast Guard units are no longer allowed to respond to emergencies. This follows a decision on Monday by the Irish Coast Guard to take the Doolin unit in Co Clare ‘off the board.’ The move was precipitated by news earlier in the day that six volunteers at Doolin had resigned including the unit’s Officer in Charge (OiC). The Irish Coast Guard has now confirmed that the unit has been stood down but said that the team on Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands, which is managed by Doolin Coast Guard, will remain operational. Monday’s resignations left the unit with just 11 members however the Irish Coast Guard decided to stand the service down. This means that members are not allowed to respond to any land or water-based incident. One member said: “The unit has been taken off the board. Simply, it means the we’re stood down and the coordination centre at …

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New website looks to put Burren EcoTourism members on the map

A NEW tourism destination website aimed at raising awareness of the Burren region in Ireland and overseas has been launched. Members of the Burren Ecotourism Network were joined in Lisdoonvarna this week by the web development team, Evolve Technologies, to launch the new look Burren.ie. The website aims to bring the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark to life with stories of the people, places and attractions of the area and to attract more visitors to stay in North Clare. The site will also carry a strong message of ecotourism and sustainability. That is a principle that all member businesses subscribe to, and it has previously helped the network to win the ‘Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2021’ award for Community Tourism. Evolve Technologies, which is based in Ennistymon, has been working closely with members of the Burren Ecotourism Network team, including CEO Jarlath O’Dwyer, George Quinn of Hylands Burren Hotel and chairperson of the Network, marketing coordinator …

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‘Medieval’ steps make a splash at popular Clare swimming spot

CLARE County Council is to go back to the drawing board after a number of complaints about a metal ladder installed at a very popular swimming area at Clahane in Liscannor. The busy local beauty spot has seen a big upsurge in sea swimming since the pandemic, but the installation of a steel ladder has irked a number of bathers. One of those who contacted The Champion described the structure as “medieval” and said it was causing problems for those entering and exiting the swimming area. While efforts were made by the authority to respond to swimmers’ concerns and adjust the structure, dissatisfaction reigned. “What on earth did we do to deserve the medieval addition to the ladder in Clahane, Liscannor, County Clare?” bather Margaret Hough said in an email to this newspaper. “The new ladder which was put in during the summer was causing a lot of problems for entry and exit to the swimming area. “Clare County council …

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Communion for two in Lahinch!

North Clare twins the only ones in school for sacrament TWIN boys from North Clare will make their First Holy Communion together on Saturday in a ceremony where they will be the only two candidates to receive the sacrament. Cian and Donnchadh Vaughan, who are nine years of age, were the only two pupils in second class last year at Furglan National School, near Lahinch. When the pandemic caused ceremonies to be deferred, the boys, like hundreds of thousands of other children around the country, faced a long wait for the milestone. “They were on tenterhooks for the summer really,” said mum Patricia, who is principal of the school. “The delay was all for the best really because now we can have all the extended family and friends and we’ll be able to mark the day. “Their big brother Joshua, who is 17, will be there and dad, Frank, as well as the uncles and aunties. “We are very lucky …

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Joy for Clare tourism businesses with prestigious awards

AFTER a fraught and difficult 18 months for the hospitality industry, a number of tourism businesses in Clare were celebrating this week after landing prestigious national awards. Four local outfits were cited in the Georgina Campbell Irish Food Hospitality awards, while a north Clare hotel’s sustainability leadership was acknowledged at the Chambers Ireland Awards. This year’s Georgina Campbell winners were concentrated in the north and west of the county with Hazelwood Lodge, Gregan Castle Hotel, both Ballyvaughan, The Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, and Vaughan’s Anchor Inn, Liscannor, winning prizes in their categories. Hotel Doolin, meanwhile, won the Excellence in Environment Award from Chambers Ireland. Hazelwood Lodge, Ballyvaughan, scooped the B&B of the year, with the citation stating there was a big welcome, genuine hospitality and a great sense of generosity about the place. Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan won the Sustainability Award for its “constant drive to do things right, and do them better”, particularly relating to the environment. The best …

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Bumper harvest for Burren agritourism

FARMERS, food producers and artisans in the Burren are reaping the benefits of agritourism initiatives this summer as visitors flock to try unique food experiences in the region. As people holiday at home this year, experiences such as food trails, foraging walks, food visitor experiences and farm stays have all become popular, according to Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network, which represents over 70 diverse businesses in the region. “For farmers, agritourism offers an opportunity to diversify and create supplementary income,” he said. “Many enjoy the social aspect of meeting people and share their special stories about the food, agriculture and biodiversity of the region. “For visitors, it allows them to connect with the land, the people, the animals and learn more about where their food comes from while enjoying beautiful landscapes of the Burren. “There really is no better place for visitors to learn about the region than from those who have farmed the land for generations.” …

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Annoyance as village sign and flower bed flattened

EFFORTS are getting underway in Kilfenora to restore a flower bed and signage on one of the main approach roads to the historic village, after they were struck by a car at the weekend. The incident, which happened on Sunday night, involved the vehicle veering into recently-planted flower bed and hitting one of the only signs welcoming visitors to Kilfenora. It is understood nobody was injured and Gardaí, who removed the car on Monday evening, are continuing to investigate. While relieved that the accident hadn’t been a more serious one, local people have been expressing annoyance at the fact the car was abandoned at the scene, and at the amount of damage done. “We have a great Tidy Towns group who work really hard on keeping the village looking good,” said Andy Lambert, Secretary of Kilfenora Development. “That flower bed was put in six weeks ago and the sign is the only identification on that approach road to the village. …

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