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Opporutnity knocks for Clare towns with new national policy

A NEW national policy focused on promoting the vibrancy of town centres should be “a top line priority for everyone in the West Clare District”. That’s the view of the district Cathaoirleach, Councillor Cillian Murphy, who has asked that town teams be supported to represent their areas and drawn down government funding and support. The Town Centre First Policy was unveiled last month by the Department of Housing and outlines a number of actions to promote urban centres through the appointment of Town Regeneration Officers, investment, and training for town teams. Councillor Murphy noted that the name of the policy was “quite misleading”. “This applies to all of our towns and villages,” he said. “The policy will prove to be the single most important document for the sustainability and viability of rural towns.” He said that given that the policy refers to the role of town teams, there might be an opportunity for an early roll out of this element …

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‘Lost revenue’ frustrations for Clare seaside towns 

CONCERN has been voiced by several West Clare councillors about the lost opportunity to change the charging structure for parking in seaside towns, as a way of resourcing local facilities. Progress with the updating of parking bye-laws, which could see changes to the current charging policy, was outlined at a district meeting last week. Several members voiced frustration that the status quo will remain in place this summer, while the area’s Director of Services said charges will ultimately have to be considered for facilities which have previously been free. The matter was raised by Councillor Shane Talty who tabled a motion asking about extra staff resources for 2022. He also asked for an update on the county-wide review of parking systems. The Ennistymon man welcomed the fact that facilities will be available for the upcoming four-day Bank Holiday weekend. However, he expressed concern that there will be no change to parking bye-laws this year. “There is money escaping that should …

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‘Something for everyone’ in West Clare road works plan

“THERE’S something for everyone” in the approved schedule for works for this year in West Clare. That was the view of Councillor Gabriel Keating who proposed the approval of the multi-million euro plan at the district committee meeting last week.  An increase in almost all funding streams will see a total of more than €48 million being invested in roads infrastructure across Clare this year. Major projects earmarked for funds in West Clare include Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon. Funding of €970,000 allocated to Clare will be funnelled mainly towards The West Clare Greenway. There have also been increases in the funds available to West Clare for road improvement and maintenance this year. A total of 13 bridges in the district will be refurbished and five safety improvement schemes will be progressed. Under the heading of climate mitigation, eight schemes will be advanced in West Clare, mainly in the Kilrush Local Electoral Area (LEA).  Outlining the schedule for 2022, Senior Engineer …

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Clare man, 75, digital ambassador for Active Retirement Ireland

A QUIN man has been appointed as one of Ireland’s first digital ambassador for Active Retirement Ireland.  After a rigorous tech training programme, Eugene Philips was conferred with the prestigious honour at a special event at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin. The 75-year-old will now lead a series of free digital skills classes for older people in the community. The initiative is part of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation Hi Digital programme, in partnership with Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE. Over the past three months, Eugene has undergone intensive technology training, Hi Digital train-the-trainer training and Hi Digital platform training. “I think for a lot of older people with low or no digital literacy, they perhaps feel as though getting online is too big a task or they’re too far behind,” said Mr Philips. “You don’t have to be a tech whizz — technology these days is designed to be easy for people to use and the Hi Digital …

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Former teacher thrilled to be involved in epic journey

Despite the relatively small numbers attending the school, CBS Ennistymon have punched above their weight both academically and on the GAA field, writes Ivan Smyth. Michael Clohessy spent 40 years in the school, serving the final years as Deputy Principal before retiring in December 2020. The former Maths and Business Studies teacher was delighted to be asked by Tara Rynne and Jason Daffy to help with their senior hurling and football squads before their respective campaigns commenced. Clohessy managed St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield to the All Ireland Club Hurling Championship in 1999 while he took them back to the showpiece event one year later as they lost out to Athenry. The 64-year-old hopes these talented bunch of players can create lasting memories just like he and those Doora-Barefield players did back in their pomp. “I have great memories and I’ll take them to the grave. These lads will keep these memories long after leaving the school. They will recall these great …

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Clare tractor run raises over €20,000 for two charities

A TRACTOR run through East Clare has been a huge success and raised more than €20,000 for two charities.  The Light the Way tractor run was held just before Christmas to support Milford Hospice and Pieta House. The after-dark event attracted a total of 170 tractors and trucks who travelled from Gurteen GAA Grounds in Doora through Quin to Newmarket-on-Fergus and back. The convoy was lit in an array of Christmas lights and decorations, much to the delight of the hundreds of spectators who lined the route.  The event was organised by Tomás Meade from Quin, along with seven friends, all aged 19 and 20, and past pupils of St Flannan’s College, Ennis. Now a student of Automotive Engineering at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), Tomás and his friends had originally hoped to run the event in 2020. “The idea came about in 2020 when we were in lockdown we were wondering what we could do with our time and …

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Shannon soon to get its own Parkrun

PARKRUN, the free, community-based, volunteer-led event will begin in Shannon on March 26. The event happens on Saturday mornings at 9.30am in many countries around the world, with over 100 in Ireland already. People can register online, print out a barcode and then take part in a 5km event in their local area. When they finish the course, by running or walking, their barcode is scanned and they have a time they can aim to improve upon if they wish. The nearest ones to Shannon until now have been at Lees Road in Ennis, Clarisford Park in Killaloe and UL and Mungret in Limerick. At the start of 2020 there were moves to initiate one in Shannon but Covid intervened and the plans were derailed. However the first Illaunmanagh parkrun will now take place on the morning of Saturday, March 26. The route, which highlights some of the fine amenities available in Shannon, starts on the path near the Illaunmanagh …

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Ei Electronics leading the way for Irish manufacturing

In the wake of last week’s jobs announcement, Owen Ryan spoke with Ei Electronics CEO Mick Guinee about the company’s evolution and expansion THE TAOISEACH visited Shannon last Friday, officially opening Ei Electronics new Group Headquarters, with the company planning to hire another 200 people over the coming year. The development comprises a 10,000m2 facility, with additional manufacturing capacity along with Research & Development and office space. It underpins its long held strategy of maintaining 100% of manufacturing in Shannon, in addition to the co-location of other key functions on a single site. The Taoiseach was full of praise for one of Shannon’s greatest industrial success stories. “I’m pleased to be here to witness first-hand the continued expansion of Ei Electronics, one of Ireland’s largest and most successful manufacturing and electronic companies. For over five decades the company has made a remarkable contribution to Shannon and the Mid-West region and its ambitious plans for future growth and job creation are …

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