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West Clare

Kilrush mayor holds US talks

DURING his recent visit to the United States, Mayor of Kilrush Ian Lynch met with Brian Stack of CIÉ Tours, who undertook to review CIÉ’s current policy of their tour buses not stopping in Kilrush. Councillor Lynch said he emphasised the significance of Kilrush as a tourism destination.“I explained that if CIÉ Tours were to stop in Kilrush, this would result in a significant increase to the local economy, greatly helping the town’s economic recovery. Mr Stack committed to carrying out a review of Kilrush as a possible tour stop and further arrangements are to be made in the next few weeks,” the town mayor said.During his trip, Councillor Lynch also met with the Consul General of Ireland, Boston-based Michael Lonergan. The mayor presented Mr Lonergan with a copy of Kilrush, Live, Work, Play – Investing in your Future, a document the mayor produced prior to his trip to the US to highlight the benefits for businesses of establishing in …

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Parades attract large turn-outs

THERE was a huge turn out of both floats and spectators at the various parades in West Clare over the bank holiday weekend. Along with the parade in Kilrush on St Patrick’s Day, a footing turf and peeling potatoes competition was held.  

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Scattery mooted as pilgrimage retreat centre

THE possibility of developing Scattery Island as a pilgrimage and retreat centre was discussed at last Thursday’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council. Town mayor Ian Lynch forwarded a motion requesting Clare County Council, the Bishop of Killaloe and the Office of Public Works (OPW) carry out a feasibility study into the proposal. Councillor Lynch suggested the proposed retreat centre could be similar to St Patrick’s Purgatory on Lough Derg.In a written reply, Clare County Council said it may be feasible to market the pilgrim walks linking places in the landscape that have a connection with St Senan of Scattery, including holy wells and St Senan’s Altar. The walk would take in approximately 80km over four days.The council reply also noted that floors and stairs should be added to the island’s round tower. This would offer panoramic views of the Shannon Estuary. “It would, therefore, be only one of a few round towers in the country with intact floors and ladders …

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Hidden gem exposed in new heritage guide

A BEAUTIFUL new illustrated heritage guide to the ancient Clondegad parish in the heart of Clare has been produced in the multiple award-winning tidy town village of Ballynacally.Supported by Ballynacally Development Association and Clare Local Development Company, Clondegad, A Heritage Guide is a thoroughly researched, accessibly written and superbly presented visual introduction to a hidden gem of Ireland’s Shannon Region for both history buffs and general visitors. Rarely promoted for its rich cultural and natural heritage, stunning landscape and riverside vistas and strategic estuarine location, this guide brings to life Clondegad’s finest attractions and hidden histories from the scenic Ballynacally village and its panoramic surrounding pastures, historical craglands and magnificent native woodlands right up to the northern valley forts and the tranquil holy waters of the Abhainn Sliabh, the river which courses the veins of the Ballynacally/Lissycasey parish. Produced by Daniel McCarthy, MD of Boru Cultural Enterprises and its international publishing and exhibition development platform, The Heritage Factory, the guide …

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New chapter for Kilkee library

MINISTER for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan opened the refurbished Cultúrlann Sweeney library in Kilkee on Monday evening and a sizeable gathering attended the event.The €1.6m redevelopment of the 1950s public library building in Kilkee includes a revamped library with 12,500 books, DVDs, magazines and newspapers and a 108-seat theatre including a sound and lighting system and two green rooms.Minister Deenihan predicted the new facility will play an important public and social role within the town, while Helen Walsh, county librarian, acknowledged the public’s “patience and understanding during the redevelopment process”.Bernadette Kinsella, director of services, Clare County Council said the library needed to be upgraded to meet modern requirements.“The main reason behind the redevelopment of the previous building was that it did not sufficiently address modern accessibility requirements, nor did it possess efficient heating, advanced stage technology and the expanding functions of a modern community library,” she said.“The primary changes to the internal layout are the demolition of …

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