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Regional

West Clare’s independence heroes on the record

A PACKED Cooraclare Hall witnessed renowned historian and author, Eoin Shanahan, formally launch the booklet on the War of Independence in West Clare last week. Mr Shanahan described the booklet as a lasting tribute to the men and women who had made a significant contribution to sovereign independence. He praised the members of the area committees who had organised commemoration events in 2021 and had contributed articles to the booklet. The launch had a very poignant moment when two young boys, Rory Shanahan, great grandnephew of activist Willie Shanahan, and Conor Larkin, grandson of JT Larkin, lit the commemoration candle to the memory of all volunteers from every townland and district in west Clare. A minute’s silence was observed and this was followed by a moving rendition of ‘Mise Éire’ by Conor and Gráinne Fennell. A well-deserved standing ovation was accorded to the commemoration chairman, JT Larkin, for overseeing 16 separate commemoration events across west Clare. Mr Larkin said that …

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Clare landowners reassured over Greenway consultation

LANDOWNERS along the route of the proposed Greenway from Scariff/Tuamgraney to Limerick are being given an assurance that the development will follow best practice guidelines on consultation. Following a briefing for Oireachtas members last Tuesday, Deputy Michael McNamara said that a code of practice, which has been drawn up in conjunction with several stakeholders, including farming representative bodies, will be followed. “Waterways Ireland have stated that they will be using the code for the development of greenways,” he said. “That provides a reassurance that landowner concerns will be given due consideration at every stage in this development. The Scariff to Limerick Greenway is a very exciting project. I’m delighted that it is now progressing and that community consultation is currently underway. I pushed, in particular for the development of the Errina Canal element during my previous term as a TD.” The Scariff man also expressed hopes that potential issues in the area of Parteen Weir could be addressed, through negotiation …

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Major water works to precede Ennis town centre upgrade

LEAKAGE issues are set to be water under the bridge in central Ennis according to Irish Water as the town gets ready for a makeover. With Clare County Council due to progress with the town’s public realm enhancement project, Irish Water is set to commence vital infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements. Before all that works gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, with the aim of providing a more reliable water supply, reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. The works, being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, involve the replacement of over 680m of aged cast iron watermains with new modern pipes and is a continuation of the works completed on Parnell Street in 2019. The programme to replace the watermains is due to commence in mid-May. The section of works will take place from High Street through O’Connell Square/Bank …

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Final display by Shannon Apostolic Work Society

THE Shannon Apostolic Work Society held its final display at St Patrick’s Comprehensive last weekend. Mai Farrell was involved with the organisation right throughout its 33 year existence. “We started it in 1989, it was Father Pat Mulcahy who started us off actually, he was here in Shannon at that time.” Speaking about the activities over the years, she said, “We raised money for the missions, we made vestments, we did knitting and crochet, we got people to donate sacred vessels, which we would send to the Missions. They could be dedicated to the dead or the living, if they liked. We’ve done all of that over the years.” She says it doesn’t seem like 33 years since they first got started. “When you look back it seems like no length of time, but it is a long time.” While most of the work was done alone, the members still came together quite regularly. “Everybody worked at home, but we …

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Major housing development proposed for east Clare village

PLANS for a significant housing development in the village of Tuamgraney are being considered by the local authority. Developer Michael Pearl is proposing to demolish an existing pumping station and build 52 houses in a mix of bungalows and two-storey units, on a 3.96 hectare site on the Dock Road. A detailed planning report has been submitted by Hassett Leyden and Associates outlining plans for six four-bedroom detached houses; 22 three-bedroom, semi-detached houses; 14 two-bedroom semi-detached houses; and ten two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows. The average housing density will be 13.13 units per hectare. The application outlines that Tuamgraney is designated a ‘service town’ under the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2022. Under the current County Development Plan, the site has three zoning types – residential, low-density residential and open space. In terms of the design concept, a mix of house types is proposed “to achieve a good mix and varied appearance of buildings”. A “large quiet open space at the back of …

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East Clare entrepreneur to launch workplace wellbeing service

A SCARIFF-BASED health psychology expert is about to launch a new online platform to promote wellbeing in the workplace. Award-winning entrepreneur Lorraine Lynch has teamed up with psychotherapist Áine Connaire to establish the Business Psychology Academy (BPA). The duo have combined their expertise working with individuals, organisations and entrepreneurs, to create the online education platform to provide training, workshops and consultation. The premise is that, in today’s post-pandemic climate, psychology’s place in ensuring our workplace does not have negatively impact our mental health, has become more important than ever. Having won Enterprise Ireland’s Startup of the Year and Network Ireland’s Businesswoman of the Year in 2021, Lorraine is a passionate advocate for the benefits of addressing wellbeing at work. Employees are not just people who work in companies, in Lorraine’s view, they are people with families, interests, problems and aspirations. To be treated on this level, as a human with many facets, is what many people are now in need …

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Burren Girl in focus following Rita’s Clare ancestors quest

A North Clare family from both sides of the Atlantic will be reunited next week in Doolin for the Ireland premiere of an award-winning documentary about their family history. This film, showing on May 4 at Hotel Doolin, highlights the story of a traditional Gaelic clan of the Burren, the O’Dubhdaboreinn. The film, called ‘Burren Girl,’ (www.burrengirldoc.com) follows the quest of Irish American Rita Davern as she searches ancient records and wanders the Burren interviewing friends and distant relations to learn more about the land and people her grandmother left behind in 1887. Ms. Davern, who produced and directed the film, said, “I am excited to bring this film back home to the Burren, where the my family’s story began more than 1200 years ago. “Twelve people from the extended Davern branch, and a few filmmakers will also come over from Minnesota for the premiere. They are excited to finally meet the Davorens they encountered in the film. “Our ancestors …

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‘Shock’ at absence of Clare council from estuary taskforce

THE decision not to include any representatives of Clare County Council to the new Shannon Estuary Economic Task Force has been criticised by Clare Senator Timmy Dooley, who said he is “shocked and frankly very disappointed”. Ten people are included on the Task Force, including Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine and Ennis-based business consultant Siobhan Dolan Clancy.  However there is no representative from Clare County Council, or indeed from the local authorities in Limerick and Kerry. The full membership of the taskforce is as follows: • Barry O’Sullivan (Chairperson) – formerly of J&J and current IDA Board Member • Mary Considine – CEO Shannon Group • Siobhan Dolan Clancy – Managing Director – SDC Business Consulting Ltd • Seán Hegarty – ESB Generation and Trading • Seamus Hoyne – Dean of Flexible and Work Place Learning – Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest • Pat Keating – CEO Shannon Foynes Port Company • Professor Eamonn Murphy – University of …

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