Shannon

SHANNON’S Simon Kenny is chairperson of the Limerick Radio Club, which will be broadcasting for a period of 48 consecutive hours from Loop Head Lighthouse this weekend.

LANDSCAPE works are currently in progress at Ballycasey Roundabout and at the library forecourt while several more local improvements are planned for the coming months.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Phil Hogan has been asked to fast-track the provision of more than €22 million for the long-awaited upgrade of the Shannon Sewerage Scheme after his recent allocation of over €1m was described as a “drop in the ocean” by Councillor PJ Ryan.While welcoming €1m in funding to proceed with advance works for a mechanical and electrical contract on the Shannon Sewerage Scheme, Councillor Ryan stressed it is only a small fraction of what is urgently needed for the overall upgrade.Councillor Ryan claimed the original plant, which was constructed in the 1970s and operated by Shannon Development until 2004 when it was taken over by Clare County Council, wasn’t designed to cater for the increase in the amount of sewage from residential and commercial properties following the growth of Shannon and its environs.“The recent allocation sounds good but in practice is a long way off what the minister should be approving as a matter of urgency. Councillors have been …

THE success of Clare County Council’s allotment scheme in Shannon has fostered great community spirit among gardening enthusiasts and the council is now being urged to replicate the feel-good factor in other parts of the county.The provision of about 44 public plots at the rear of Illaunmanagh Cemetery has taken on something of a cosmopolitan flavour as green-fingered people from China, South Africa and Spain mingle with locals who thoroughly enjoy watching a wide variety of fruit and vegetables blossom.Now in its fourth year, the 150m2 plots are available for rent from the council for an annual fee of €45.Stephen Danaher, who lives in Fearnóg across from Shannon Town Centre, believes the social interaction between growers is one of the project’s positive spin-offs.“There is a great social side to growing your own food. There is a great mix of people in Shannon, including people who are willing to share their experience and give advice. There is a nice mixture of …

WHILE Shannon is a new town, there is plenty of heritage in the adjoining area and a major amount of work has been taking place on preserving Hastings farmhouse, close to Illaunmanagh Graveyard. It will be opened to the public on two occasions in the coming weeks.The house in question was the setting for drama during the War of Independence, as the IRA held the British Army’s Brigadier General Lucas there.

THE possibility of vacant units at the Free Zone being used by local voluntary and community organisations has been raised by Mayor of Shannon Michael Fleming.

SHANNON is about to get an improved sewerage scheme, which has been sought for years and is set to cost just over €1 million.

HOPES that the Glaise na Rinne affordable housing development would be complete by the end of the month look, at the time of writing, as if they will be dashed.