Tag Archives: clare county council

THERE were 27 camper vans parked on the green at Carrigaholt one morning during the summer, along with a number of tents. With this in mind, at last week’s meeting of West and North Clare, members of Clare County Council, Councillor Gabriel Keating called for toilet facilities, similar to those provided in Doolin car park, to be installed there. He said that at the moment Carrigaholt is “ticking all the boxes” for the provision of a wastewater treatment plant, but he said installing portable toilets in the interim would be very positive. In a written reply to his motion, Senior Executive Engineer Alan Kenneally acknowledged that the area is becoming increasingly popular with visitors. “While Carrigaholt may not have the visitor numbers of Doolin, the village is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, helped by its location on the Wild Atlantic Way and its Green Coast beach.” However, he said that there are a number of difficulties with putting in place …

A FOOTPATH or not a footpath, that is the question in Kilmihil. A meeting of North and West Clare councillors last week heard a motion from Cillian Murphy calling for the installation of a footpath along the Main Street of the village, from the entrance to the People’s Park to beyond the HSE centre in the village In a written reply, however, senior executive engineer Alan Kennelly said that there actually is a footpath in place, though he acknowledged there were “issues” with it. “There is a footpath in place on the southern side of Main Street Kilmihil, between the People’s Park and the HSE health centre. “The footpath lacks definition in places as there are several accesses crossing, and houses / premises are of differing set back distances. “There is also an ESB pole right in the middle of one narrow section of the footpath – which impedes access.” Councillor Murphy said that the “critical words” in the reply …

MOVING into her new home in Ennis’ newly launched Co-operative Housing Ireland Development has been an emotional “restart” for Amanda Shannon and her teenage son. Amanda sadly lost her husband five years ago, telling The Clare Champion her new home has become “healing” for her. “I think the attachment to the old house was too much so this new house has big, big meaning for me. It’s a restart.” A qualified teacher Amanda has been unable to work recently due to health issues including long Covid. Before moving into the Moínear development in Ros Leamhain she had been renting for eight years. She describes renting as “a challenge”, with her family experiencing issues such as damp and mould. “It would even be summer time and I’d have to wash the walls with a mask on because I didn’t want to breath in the mould. “During lockdown it was difficult to access care and we were in the house all the …

CLARE County Council has backed a proposal to maintain the Local Property Tax (LPT) rate at 15% above the standard rate for 2023 and 2024, despite opposition from three councillors. Members decided not to change the LPT Local Adjustment Factor that is payable for Clare homeowners for the next two years in line with what was in place in 2020, 2021 and 2022. An amendment proposed by Councillor Gerry Flynn calling on the council to reduce the LPT for 2023 by 15% and to only apply the change for one year didn’t secure the required level of support. It was backed by Councillor Flynn, Councillor Donna McGettigan and Councillor Ann Norton but was opposed by 23 other councillors. Councillor Gerry Flynn said it is easy to get bogged down on statistics but for most people they are concerned about coping at a time when the cost of living has gone out of control. “For more than 18,000 people that are …

NEW homes officially launched in Ennis this week are a “significant contribution” to meeting the county capital’s social housing need. That’s according to Ennis Mayor Clare Colleran Molloy who was speaking at the launch by Co-operative Housing Ireland of 69 new homes in Moínear, a development in Ros Leamhain, Ennis. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Tony O’Brien officially opened the estate on Wednesday saying, “The direct delivery of homes by local authorities, and Approved Housing Bodies such as Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI), is pivotal in addressing housing need across Ireland. “The homes in Moínear are truly affordable, with rents linked to household income, and will provide security for CHI members. In addition to the 69 homes in Moínear, CHI has helped to deliver 78 much-needed homes in Clare since 2020.” He pointed out the new houses are in a residential area within easy reach of Ennis town centre and near local amenities including a shopping centre which is served …

MEMBERS of the public are being urged to have their say on plans aimed at enhancing a popular local beauty spot. A public consultation will be held in Barefield Community Centre this Thursday, September 8 from 5pm to 8pm to review the proposed design of works for Ballyalla Lake which are being developed by Clare County Council. According to the local authority the designs aim to “sensitively enhance this lakeside amenity, whilst also considering the wider environment of the lake”. Ballyalla Lake is located on the river Fergus north of Ennis, covering an area of 308 hectares, and it has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for bird species in addition to being a proposed Natural Heritage Area. The designs build on the  ‘Amenity Enhancement Plan for Ballyallia Lake’ which was commissioned by Barefield Tidy Towns, supported by Clare County Council …

PLANS to extend an Ennis primary school will lead to an “enhanced” school experience with “better facilities” for the existing staff and students. That’s according to a report lodged with Clare County Council as part of a planning application by the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg for a two storey extension at the school. If given the go-ahead the school on the Gort Road will see the development of six classrooms, a general purpose hall, two SEN classrooms and two ball courts as well as additional staff car parking and other associated works. A mobility and management report into the proposal has been compiled by P Coleman & Associates on behalf of the applicant and lodged with the planning application. It outlines that the proposed extended school will not create any additional students or trips with no planned increase in students or staff. The existing school has 471 students and 31 staff. “The purpose of the new classroom …

PLANNING permission has been refused for a 30-metre high telecommunications structure on Loop Head due to visual impact. An application had been made by Vantage Towers Ltd for the mast with antannae, dishes and associated telecommunications equipment at Moyarta East, Carrigaholt. The proposed site is 260 metres west of the R468 regional road and 1.56km from the R487 regional road, which is a designated scenic route to the north west. The mast was to be sited in a locally elevated position in a relatively low landscape and views would be available towards the site from the south and south west on the local road network. This last point especially mitigated against the granting of planning permission as the planner’s report stated, “Having regard to the locally elevated nature of the site, the open nature of the receiving landscape and the height of the structure as proposed, views would be available towards the tower from multiple vantage points to the north, …