Angling project is top idea

A PLAN to extend a unique angling project in East Clare has won the top prize in the Clare Farm Idea Awards 2010.
Dorothy Minogue Landers of Clondanagh Cottage, Tulla, already the owner of a well-established bed and breakfast and angling centre, put forward the idea of constructing two commercial lakes on her farm to claim the top prize.
She and other category winners were presented with their prizes in the Woodstock Hotel, Ennis on Monday.
Ms Minogue already has the bonus of lake frontage on her farm of 43 acres and many of her guests fish at her own lake, as well as the many others in the area.
“At present, there are safety concerns and little or no amenities at most of these natural lakes,” said Dorothy, whose winning idea involves constructing the two lakes as well as walkways, a small shop and facilities on her farm.
“While we cater very successfully for the 30 to 50-year-old bracket, I believe there is a great potential for additional visitors both from the younger and the retiree age groups from Ireland, Europe and farther afield with the construction of the commercial lakes,” she added.
Dorothy’s project received LEADER support for her feasibility study, which proved the land is suitable for this development.
“The team at Clare Local Development Company have been hugely supportive of my project from the start and even without a win in the idea awards competition, I would be always grateful to them for all the help and advice received.
“My participation in the Clare Farm Idea Awards competition helped me to focus an already existing project and I am delighted to have won and we are excited about the future ahead of us,” added Dorothy, whose husband Michael is actively supporting the project.
While competition rules state the winning ideas do not have to become a reality, Dorothy is certain her idea can go ahead and intends to apply for planning permission, as well as further LEADER funding for the project shortly.
Another winner was Tomás Fahy of New Quay, representing Gort Community College. He said the Spanish were the first to introduce coffee to Galway and it is his intention to highlight this with the establishment of a coffee muesum at New Quay on the shores of Galway Bay.
The other winners in the schools category were Ruth Ann Browne, representing St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil (a self-cleaning water trough) and Mullagh’s Nicola O’Keeffe, representing St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point (electronic microchip ear tag for tracking farm animals). All three were presented with laptops.
Winners in the No Previous Business  Experience section were Irene Killeen, Mullagh (pet farm and children’s allotments); Martin Murphy, Kilmihil (forestry producers network for Clare); Larry Dunphy, Kilkee (colour coded tags for cows) and Liam Williams, Kilrush (provision of seaweed derivatives).
In the category for Previous-Current Business Experience, the winners were Alan Nagle, Doolin Farm (selling beef and lamb direct to the consumer) and Patrick Nagle, Liscannor (provision of facilities on his farm for walkers).
Doirín Graham, CEO Clare Local Development Company, noted that a number of projects have been developed from last year’s winners and hoped the ideas tendered this year would go forward for grant aid for the next stage of development.
Gerry McDonagh, rural development officer at Clare Local Development Company, said most entries this year were from West Clare, with a number from North Clare. Entries from East Clare were scarce and he said this is something they would have to address.
The overall winner has been entered for the national equivalent – the JFC Innovation Awards For Rural Business organised by Teagasc. Others with business ideas will be invited to attend a free seminar in the Woodstock Hotel on February 23 next, to support the budding enterpreneurs in making their ideas a realtity.
Speakers were introduced by Hilary Gleeson, rural development officer, Clare Local Development Company, which is the new LEADER organisation in Clare. Established in  2008, it brings  together Rural Resource Development and the three organisations that delivered the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme in the county, Eirí Corca Baiscinn, Ennis West Partners and part of Obair, Newmarket-on-Fergus.