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Shannon Ulster Bank branch to become Permanent TSB

THE Ulster Bank branch in Shannon is one of 25 that are set to be acquired by Permanent TSB, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two, writes Owen Ryan. The deal will see Permanent TSB acquire in the region of €7.6 billion worth of assets. A statement from Permanent TSB said, “It is expected that circa 400 to 500 Ulster Bank employees, who are wholly or mainly assigned to the retail and SME perimeter that is being acquired, will transfer to Permanent TSB. “The exact number of in scope employees that will have the right to transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings regulations will be agreed as part of the next stage of negotiations.” Eamonn Crowley CEO of Permanent TSB Holdings said “This Potential Transaction complements our growth strategy and will accelerate the delivery of Permanent TSB’s ambition of becoming Ireland’s best personal and small business bank. “We see this as a once in a generation …

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Obair steps up the work to serve Clare communities

OBAIR, Newmarket-on-Fergus’ very popular Meals on Wheels service, has increased its output five fold since the onset of Covid-19, going from 50 meals a day, five days a week to now providing 250 meals on average per day, seven days a week. “That required a lot of reorganising,” said Siobhan O’Connell, community development officer and acting manager. “Covid had a huge impact on this part of our business. The elderly were so vulnerable at the outset of Covid that we simply had to expand to ensure that everyone got a hot meal every day. “We had to close our thriving coffee shop and move staff over to Meals on Wheels. We were indebted to the many chefs who volunteered to lend a hand at the outset and within two weeks we had everything running smoothly. “However, we had to start taking orders and payments over the phone and leave food at our customers’ doors, but everyone adjusted.” She said they …

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Shannon masterplan looks to develop town centre to be proud of

THE new Draft Shannon Town Centre Masterplan proposes developing a main street for the town, to the front of SkyCourt, with an ‘Innovation District’ on the other side of the road. The new document says, “Shannon Town Centre has been the heart of Shannon Town since the 1970s, but despite its range of retail and community services, it lacks definition and the sense of place found in other Irish towns and villages. “This masterplan vision aims to give it that definition, by managing future growth and establish a place that captures and secures the benefit of growth for the local community. “Shannon has been a place of innovation and promoting a healthy lifestyle since its inception, yet its town centre has never been the source of pride that Shannon deserves. “This masterplan vision is an attempt to improve the local townscape with new retail, community, housing, and public spaces for locals and visitors to enjoy.” Regarding the innovation area, it …

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Love Shannon extends deadline for feedback on its plan

THE Love Shannon Community Council have extended the deadline for feedback on its Shannon Community Development Plan, which can still be viewed online. The Plan has numerous suggestions for Shannon, including one for improving awareness of the level of facilities available locally. “58% of the respondents to the Shannon Community Development Survey proposed the need for a multipurpose community hall or centre for Shanon. LSCC analysed this proposal in detail and noted that a range of community centres and halls exist in Shannon, each providing opportunities for community based activities. There is a risk that people are unaware of the range of facilities, of the activities that may be taking place in each and/or how individuals and groups might access these facilities for community purposes. It proposed that “Love Shannon Community Council will develop an online resource, informing the population of Shannon of the range of community halls/centres available in the community and outlining the activities currently offered in each …

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Annoyance at lack of funding for Clare council housing upgrades

A SHANNON-based councillor has described himself as “very annoyed” at the lack of adequate funding to upgrade local authority housing stock. Councillor Gerry Flynn told the July meeting of the county council it is imperative that the authority make financial provision for the upgrades required to bring its vacant stock to a standard for rental, in order to assist applicants on the social housing list. The Independent councillor also requested that funding be provided for maintenance for existing tenancies in need of works. Acknowledging the fact that, at the same meeting, he had been one of only two councillors to vote against leaving the Local Property Tax in Clare at 15% above the standard rate, Councillor Flynn insisted his stance was “in no way contradictory”. “I received a brief form the Finance Department which outlines that there should be sufficient funds there,” he said. “However, €2m was siphoned off Housing to go to other funding streams. I’m very annoyed about …

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Clare cathaoirleach calls for free parking at Shannon Airport

FREE parking at Shannon Airport has been proposed by the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, as part of a bid to revive tourism and increase traffic through the Midwest airport. Councillor PJ Ryan received huge support for this call, at the July meeting of the local authority, for an incentive to use Shannon Airport over the likes of Dublin and other facilities. “It is crucial that central government support Shannon,” he said. “There are measure that we can look at on the ground and free parking could be one of those,” The motion was welcomed by Councillor Ann Norton. “Anything that can get people into Shannon Airport is something we should look at,” the Independent member said. “There was great excitement in our house with Ryanair’s Turin service. That will mean people can go skiing in the winter and any opportunity to get Shannon off the ground again is welcome. It’s great to have an international airport on our doorstep …

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Clare coach brimming with excitement for Olympic Sevens

ED Slattery is aware the sport of Rugby Sevens is often fighting for attention from the public with the traditional 15-a-side format dominating the airwaves, writes Ivan Smyth. However, the Athletic Performance Coach with Ireland Men’s Rugby Sevens side believes the team’s qualification for Tokyo has captured the public’s attention. “The support has been brilliant. The country is rowing in behind these lads. We have been getting more eyes on the sport. This is about the boys who’ve worked so hard to get here and luckily they’ve been getting a lot of support.” Rugby is a huge part of Ed’s life. His local club St Senan’s RFC named their stadium Jimmy Slattery Park, in honour of his late father. The 33-year-old works with Sevens players to ensure they are at their physical peak while helping to reduce the possibility of injury. Slattery is passionate about his role within the IRFU. “I am lucky to work in the IRFU for six …

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Protest in Ennis to protect Shannon Airport

INTERNATIONAL travel is resuming and with Shannon facing an uncertain future, local advocacy group Save Our Shannon (SOS) will hold a protest on July 24 at O’Connell Square in Ennis. The rally is to take place from mid-day. They are calling on the Government to change aviation policy and to introduce measures that will encourage airlines and passengers to use Shannon. SOS chairman Denis Vaughan said, “We demand new Government Aviation Policy, which includes Shannon. Save our Shannon rally this Saturday at 12pm in the square in Ennis. Guest speakers.@Fallshotel @CliffsOfMoher_ @eastclare10k @CratloeGAAClub @gaeilnasionna @GreyHeronMedia @VirginMediaNews @rtenews @NewstalkFM @johncookeradio @oconnellbrian pic.twitter.com/2EtysVOrqw — Radio Beams (@HayesEnnis) July 21, 2021 “The post Covid Government need to incentivise airlines and passengers to use Shannon Airport. The government should be looking at doing what it can to force Aer Lingus back to Shannon. After all, Ireland subsidises the airline.” Mr Vaughan continued, “Dublin Airport increased its passenger numbers in 2019 by 13.8 million whilst …

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