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Tag Archives: CLDC

New website looks to put Burren EcoTourism members on the map

A NEW tourism destination website aimed at raising awareness of the Burren region in Ireland and overseas has been launched. Members of the Burren Ecotourism Network were joined in Lisdoonvarna this week by the web development team, Evolve Technologies, to launch the new look Burren.ie. The website aims to bring the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark to life with stories of the people, places and attractions of the area and to attract more visitors to stay in North Clare. The site will also carry a strong message of ecotourism and sustainability. That is a principle that all member businesses subscribe to, and it has previously helped the network to win the ‘Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2021’ award for Community Tourism. Evolve Technologies, which is based in Ennistymon, has been working closely with members of the Burren Ecotourism Network team, including CEO Jarlath O’Dwyer, George Quinn of Hylands Burren Hotel and chairperson of the Network, marketing coordinator …

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Rural development roadmap sketched out for North Clare

A SIGNIFICANT planning initiative, designed to create a roadmap for the strategic regeneration, development and sustainability, has recently been launched across a group of communities in North Clare. The catchment for the project will comprise the communities served by Mary Immaculate Secondary School and the Stella Maris Day Centre in Lisdoonvarna. This covers communities such as New Quay, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Carron, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora and Kilshanny. The project is a joint initiative of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and Clare Local Development Company (CLDG). “The project is premised on the need for communities in North Clare to be ready for and be able to respond to change,” said Councillor Joe Garrihy of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte. “We have seen dramatic changes in the region in recent years, for example to patterns of land usage and employment. “We have observed increased centralisation of public services and employment opportunities and this has led to substantial migration of our young from the region. “Correspondingly, we have seen the …

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Clooney-Spancilhill to create Community Energy Plan

AN AMBITIOUS project to boost the production and use of renewable energy is being pioneered by the Clooney Spancilhill Community Development Association. The group is one of three in Clare to enter a partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with a view to creating an energy masterplan for the area. The blueprint will also offer potential to generate revenue for the area and will draw inspiration from a highly successful community of Templederry, outside Nenagh, who are now raising €1.1m annual for their locality. “We set up a steering group on the environment,” outlined Tom Larkin, Chairperson of the association. “That lead us to applying to the SEAI for funding. We succeeded in securing €10,000 and that involves us signing a three-year agreement with SEAI. We have mentoring from SEAI and Clare Local Development Company (CLDC).” After a tender process, the Tipperary Energy Agency was chosen and a contract signed before Christmas for the creation of a …

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€14.7m in rural funding on hold

By Dan Danaher RURAL development funding, worth an estimated €14.7 million for community projects throughout Clare, will be on hold for at least two years, Clare Local Development Company has warned. While the budget for the next Clare Leader programme is still not finalised in advance of the tendering process, chief executive officer, Doirin Graham estimates Clare should get at least €10 million, out of a total amount of €250 million, based on the population size and rural nature of the county. Stating the last grant approval for a Clare project was made last summer, Ms Graham said the best-case scenario is that funding will be made available from mid-2015. Ms Graham also warned that €200,000 of grant aid would be lost to the county, unless Environment Minister Phil Hogan allows the non-for-profit company to reallocate any unspent funds in 2014. Clare Leader estimates the total loss for the county will be €14.7 million, as every €5 million in rural …

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Jobs Needed to Give Economy a “Real Lift”

By CAROL BYRNE THERE is a reduction in those signing on the live register in East Clare this past year but with very little economic growth locally, Councillor Pat Hayes is calling for something to be done to deal with the 1,271 who remain unemployed there. While there are 183 less people signing on at the Tulla social welfare office in February 2013 when there were 1,454 people signing on than in February 2014, Councillor Hayes says he cannot account for the reduction. The Tulla social welfare office caters to its local community and extends to O’Callaghan’s Mills, Scariff, Whitegate, Feakle, Kilkishen, Bodyke, Broadford, Feakle, Ogonnelloe, Kilmurry and parts of Sixmilebridge. Councillor Hayes said the feeling on the ground is that there is no employment being created across East Clare, and the spending power is going from communities. “Young people have left, and people don’t have any money to spend in the local economy. When you don’t have jobs, you …

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