SURFERS have expressed their disappointed at the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for Doolin Pier. A statement from the West Coast Surf Club, the group which initially appealed Clare County Council’s permission to build the pier, to An Bord Pleanála, has said “serious reservations remain regarding the decision”.The club, and the Irish Surfing Association, said, “It is unfortunate that the board in finalising their decision have not taken on board the serious concerns and recommendations set out in sections 7.1, 9.7 and 11.0 of the An Bord Pleanála inspector’s report. The pier development will impact on the surf environment in the area with the wave at Ballaghaline Point destroyed and a potentially significant impact on the world famous Crab Island wave.”According to the statement, “The WCSC and ISA again reconfirm their availability and that of their expert advisors to meet with Clare County Council to ensure that the impact of any design and construction works carried …

AN Bord Pleanála has approved an application from Clare County Council to construct the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme which, when completed, will deliver flood defences in Clonroadmore, Ballybeg and Clareabbey.The works include a flood overflow culvert from St Flannan’s Stream to Clareabbey and from Ballybeg Stream to the Clareabbey flood plain, and an upgrade of the existing flood defence embankment between the Quin Road and the Clarecastle tidal barrage.  The estimated cost of the project is €4 million.Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine described the scheme as another important step in the delivery of extensive flood defences throughout Ennis town and surrounding areas.“I wish to pay tribute to Clare Local Authorities for delivering on the recommendations contained in the Ennis Main Drainage & Flood Study Preliminary Report. Ennis was badly affected by flooding in late 2009 and this scheme, along with other ongoing and scheduled works across Ennis, will greatly help to reduce the threat of future flooding. “I …

AER Arann said it plans to join Europe’s top tier of regional airlines by 2015 and expects to double passenger numbers to over two million within five years.Operating three services from Shannon to Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham, the airline’s interim chief executive Sean Brogan also outlined some new investments, including taking delivery of eight new aircraft. The new aircraft, ATR 72-600s, will replace the older existing fleet of ATR 72-200s and ATR42s. The first new plane will commence service this May with the remaining aircraft expected to come on stream over the next 11 months. The new fleet will be fully operational for the summer 2014 programme.Aer Arann also announced it has extended its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus, which will see it operate under the Aer Lingus Regional brand until the end of 2022.“Just over two years ago, we stared closure in the face. Now, we have the fundamentals in place to join Europe’s top tier of regional airlines. …

AN award-winning Clonlara knitwear company has gained the official European Union seal of approval after securing an additional order for 3,500 scarves.Áine Knitwear, the Old Stables Studio, Clonlara won the initial tender to design and produce scarves for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, beating off stiff competition from seven others. Staff were extremely busy this week as they put the finishing touches to the order, which is to be sent to Dublin this Friday.Designer Anne Behan-McConnell hired an extra member of staff for the project and, with a team of three full-time local women, designed and produced 8,000 scarves in six weeks. The aran scarves, made from lambswool, are teal with a green finish at each end. Ms McConnell based her design on Irish high crosses and used traditional Irish moss stitch to hand-finish each scarf.Drawing inspiration from the EU logo symbolising unity, a number of Es are intertwined  with a knot in the middle …

THE output of the Irish construction industry is due to decline by 3% in 2013, following a 9% fall last year. That’s according to Davis Langdon – an AECOM company – in its annual review.Andrew Thompson, who heads up Davis Langdon’s Limerick office, said the 2013 outlook represents relatively good news in terms of curbing the industry’s downward spiral.“Whilst good news like this is welcome, it is not having an immediate effect on the market. Contractors, in particular, are feeling the pressure more so than others, as they rely upon live construction projects. “In this regard, we have noted that contractors are being a lot more selective about what they tender for due to a lack of resources and high tendering costs.”One of the areas examined by the Davis Langdon annual review is the housing market and Mr Thompson said statistics indicate there were 4,000 housing starts and 8,000 completions during 2012 – less than one-tenth of the annual total …

RETURNING to education may be one of the most positive and rewarding decisions you ever make, according to Robert Hartigan, a student at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick.Having regretted not going to college first time around, MIC masters student, Robert decided to undertake the foundation certificate in MIC in 2007. On completion, he decided to pursue his studies and took up a place on the BA Liberal Arts programme, before proceeding to a postgraduate course in history.“Now that I have progressed to postgraduate studies within the college, I would definitely say that choosing to return to education and, in particular, MIC was one of the most positive and rewarding decisions I ever made.”Eleanor McSherry is another example of someone returning to education and fulfilling a long-held dream. In 2003, when her children started school, Eleanor found herself at a loose end and harboured thoughts about going to college.“I was nervous starting but I need not have been as the …

A NEW vision for the development of Ennis in the post-recession era was unveiled  this week as part of a ceremony marking the 400th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Ennis.  

THIS year’s Burren Spring Gathering, formerly the Burren Spring Conference, will examine the theme of Between Place and Space: New Perspectives on the Burren and takes place later this month.