North Clare

THE Burren Ecotourism Network has shot a series of videos showcasing the charms of a number of North Clare’s beautiful villages. The video series, supported by Clare Local Development Council (CLDC) & LEADER, so far comprises videos of six villages with plans in train to include more. The videos, which are available to view on the Burren Ecoturism Network (BEN) social media pages, are narrated by locals or BEN members to give a true local flavour of the areas. The series, entitled “Villages of the Burren” will provide visitors to the area a brief overview of the diverse culture, history, music, food, and sustainable tourism ethos of communities across the Burren region. So far six films have been produced: Ballyvaughan, Doolin, Kinvara, Lisdoonvarna, New Quay and Ennistymon. There are plans to feature more villages such as Kilfenora, Corofin, Lahinch, Liscannor and Fanore in the coming months. Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of Burren Ecotourism Network said, “Each of the villages is unique …

IF YOU have an eye for Clare’s traditional architecture, the chances are you have spotted some of the work of North Clare craftsman, Eóin Madigan. A sixth generation stonemason from Ennistymon, Eóin has been the main contractor on conservation projects including the O’Brien Column in Liscannor; the Lightkeeper’s Cottage at Loop Head; the Vandeleur Mausoleum in Kilrush; as well as the historic lime kilns in Kilmurry and Tuamgraney. Thanks to a prestigious fellowship award, Eóin has honed his craft and is enthusiastic about handing on the skills and knowledge needed to protect Ireland’s built heritage. In 2014, Eóin was awarded a William Morris Craft Fellowship from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). The prestigious fellowship involved a six-month tour of the UK involving site, workshop and studio visits, allowing him to work alongside master craftsmen on heritage projects. The fellowship aimed to foster a new generation of outstanding craftsmen and women and to prepare them to lead and …

Point-to-point fans are in for a real treat this weekend, with the annual County Clare Hunt Easter Sunday meeting at Quakerstown set to attract a huge attendance. To say there is something for everyone on offer at the scenic Boston venue would be an understatement, as a host of extra-curricular activities have been laid-on to keep all ages entertained. Trade stands, a dog show, artisan food stalls, pony rides, most appropriately dressed person competition, a pony race and a hound display are just some of the attractions on offer on what is guaranteed a fun day out for all the family. An official launch of Sunday’s meeting took place at Hotel Woodstock in Ennis last Friday night where the guests included top jockeys Eoin Mahon and Derek O’Connor. A presentation was also made to jockey Mark McDonagh to mark his recent run of success that included his first Cheltenham Festival victory. The Co Clare Hunt will also be supporting the …

ONE of Clare’s most famous tourist attractions is to reopen this Friday following a €1 million upgrade and rebrand. The Aillwee Burren Experience, formerly known as Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre, will welcome back visitors on April 15, following extensive renovation works. The rebrand has sought to refine the facility’s unique offering, which as well as the famous caves and well-known bird attraction, also includes a farm shop selling its own award-winning cheese. Nuala Mulqueeney, Managing Director of Aillwee Burren Experience explained, “Our visitors will now be able to enjoy the reinvigorated experience from the newly installed cave lighting system to the spectacular birds of prey collection. “The Farm Shop here at Aillwee really is our hidden gem where you can see the award-winning Burren Gold Cheese being made using traditional farmhouse methods. We are really proud of the outcome of this renovation, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back.” Speaking at the relaunch Aoibhín Garrihy said, …

A NORTH Clare tillage farmer and agricultural contractor has claimed a government initiative encouraging more tillage production in response to the Ukrainian war is “waste of time” and a “hair brained scheme”. Previously involved in electronics, Shane Nolan left his work in Dublin in the early nineties and took over his father’s farm in Finavara and started renting land for tillage. The secretary of the Western Division of the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors of Ireland (FCI) pointed out a dairy or beef farmer would have to reduce the amount of cattle on their land to try and grow a tillage crop. “It would be like me milking cows. I might know what a cow looks like but I wouldn’t know how to maintain a cow. At least with tillage crops I know what I have to do. It is like asking a doctor to go and wire a house.” He said non-tillage farmers have approached him seeking advice …

CRUSHEEN Community Centre Committee has announced the creation of a new Wall of Sponsors and have invited their community to be a part of the opportunity. Everyone in the community and all local businesses are invited to sponsor a personalised, engraved brick that will be displayed as part of a wall of sponsors installed as a permanent fixture within the community centre. It is planned to open the facility in autumn, complete with an extension, new heating and insulation, new doors and windows, additional meeting rooms, conferencing facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi.  One quarter of the capital renovation value is needed to retire the current debt, and all donations and sponsorships raised through ongoing fundraising will support the fit-out and help to plan for the future running of the centre. Bricks can be inscribed with the sponsor’s name, family name, or business name, or in honour or in memory of a relative or pet. Two brick sizes are available – single …

EXPANDING the benefits of the West Clare Railway across North Clare is the aim of a motion tabled by Councillor Joe Garrihy at the local municipal district earlier this month.  The Lisdoonvarna man called for plan to link Corofin, Carron, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Liscannor and Lahinch with a greater range of walking and cycle routes “to ensure these settlements and communities have appropriate attractive and safe linkage to the overall West Clare Greenway in progress and the Green Road to the Burren, Fanore and Ballyvaughan”. Councillor Garrihy also asked that cycle and walking connectivity from from North Clare to County Galway through Bellharbour, New Quay to Kinvara and Boston/Tubber area to Gort be progressed. “Cycling and walking amenities are among our most successful tourism offerings,” he told the meeting.  The motion was backed by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Cillian Murphy who agreed with the potential that connectivity to the West Clare Greenway offered.  Councillor Joe Killeen agreed with the huge benefits of …

ORGANISERS of a North Clare parade, in which one entry depicted a dead man being taken to a post office, have apologised and described the situation as “tone deaf”. Kilfenora St Patrick’s Day parade was one of a number nationwide to contain floats representing a widely-publicised incident in which Carlow man Peadar Doyle was found to be dead during an alleged attempt to collect his pension. Foul play was ruled out in the 66-year-old’s death last January and Gardaí are continuing their investigations. After a major backlash following the parades, Orla Vaughan, apologised publicly and sent a letter to Mr Doyle’s family. “To Noeleen, Peadar’s sister and to Liam and Christopher, Peadar’s brothers, I really, really apologise,” Ms Vaughan said on Clare FM. “I can understand retrospectively, and that’s never a good thing, the hurt it caused them.” The Kilfenora woman said the committee sent a card last Monday to Mr Doyle’s family and that they would welcome an opportunity …