***The year in review*** THE continuation of the M18 to Tuam remained an uncertainty in 2012, despite the Government repeating its promise that Gort is not the end of the road.In July, the Government announced its stimulus package, which included the Gort to Tuam motorway and said work on the 57km of motorway, bypassing Clarinbridge, Claregalway and Tuam, would begin in the new year. Land for the project is already purchased and the funding confirmed in July meant, according to the Government, the State was ready to proceed with work on the major piece of infrastructure. Parts of the Government’s heavily hyped Infrastructure Stimulus PPP Programme, were branded as “repackaging” by Clare’s only Opposition TD. Deputy Timmy Dooley noted the familiar ring to some of the projects announced under the programme, including the progression of the Gort to Tuam motorway. The Fianna Fáil TD noted, “there is an element of repackaging in this” but welcomed the fact the Government is …

***The year in review*** GORT Mart celebrated its 50th anniversary during 2012. With an annual turnover of about €12 million, Gort Mart is still going strong, despite intense competition from other marts in the region. Unlike a lot of agricultural communities, which have been adversely hit by the closure of local marts, Galway still has a large number of marts including Athenry, Ballinasloe, Tuam, Moutbellew, Headford, Ma’am Cross and Clifden. Almost half of the business for Gort Mart comes from North and East Clare from places like Tubber, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Ennistymon, Lahinch, Feakle and Flagmount.Gort Mart manager, Gerry Finnerty said the gala dinner held in August was the culmination of a brilliant week of celebration and looked forward to celebrating another 50 years of making a major contribution to the local economy. Seventeen members of the original founding committee of Gort Mart of 1962 were honoured on the night with presentations made to the surviving members, as well as family …

***The year in review*** THE future of a new pier at Doolin will not become clear until early 2013 when An Bord Pleanála will decide whether the project, as proposed, can go ahead.Clare County Council gave the go ahead for a new €5 million pier at Ballaghaline, Doolin in March 2011 under a Part Eight proposal but this was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by The West Coast Surf Club. The board decided an environmental impact statement was required and requested it the following September. The existing Doolin Pier is tidal and is one of the busiest piers in the country for passenger traffic. The EIS described it as exposed, too small for the number and variety of users and is frequently congested. It added that the existing pier is “not fit for purpose”.There were a large number of submissions in relation to the planned development amid concerns it would adversely affect surfing in the area and represent a health …

***The year in review*** BLAKE’S Corner in Ennistymon was consistently in the news during 2012 but those hoping the traffic issues at the junction will be resolved will have to wait until at least 2014. Back in January, it was revealed at a North Clare area meeting that Clare County Council would have to spend an extra €100,000 on a new Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to facilitate proposed improvement works at the busy junction following new national planning regulations introduced in 2011, provoking outrage amongst local county councillors.This outrage was revisited in December when An Bord Pleanála confirmed an EIS would have to be completed before work on the destruction and reconstruction of the Blake’s and Linnane’s buildings could begin. The council is proposing to do the work on the buildings as part of a change to the layout of the junction connecting the N85 and N67. The board directed the authority to prepare an EIS in respect of the …

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Following the Battle of Kinsale, Irish resistance quickly collapsed in Munster and Carew, the English general, spread his power over the province.

WEST Clare Resource Centre in Miltown Malbay has a bright future. Guests were assured of this at the annual dinner for its staff and representatives of the agencies delivering wide-ranging community services in the complex, which was once a vocational school.

The Buds to Blossoms Fashion Show, which took place in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, over Christmas, raised more than €10,000 for local charities. This is the second year of the event and organisers are hailing it “a tremendous success”.