Annoyance as village sign and flower bed flattened

EFFORTS are getting underway in Kilfenora to restore a flower bed and signage on one of the main approach roads to the historic village, after they were struck by a car at the weekend.
The incident, which happened on Sunday night, involved the vehicle veering into recently-planted flower bed and hitting one of the only signs welcoming visitors to Kilfenora.
It is understood nobody was injured and Gardaí, who removed the car on Monday evening, are continuing to investigate.
While relieved that the accident hadn’t been a more serious one, local people have been expressing annoyance at the fact the car was abandoned at the scene, and at the amount of damage done.
“We have a great Tidy Towns group who work really hard on keeping the village looking good,” said Andy Lambert, Secretary of Kilfenora Development.
“That flower bed was put in six weeks ago and the sign is the only identification on that approach road to the village. We already have a real problem with people arriving into The Square, driving too fast, and asking, ‘What village is this?’.
“We got a grant to help with the cost of the flower beds and now we’re having to do that one again. There’s quite serious damage to the sign and it’s tough to see, at this point, how that can be re-erected. We’ll be talking to the council and looking at the feasibility of raising funds.”
Mr Lambert said the damage is particularly frustrating in light of local efforts to promote Kilfenora and boost tourism.
“We’re working really hard on developing the village,” he said. “We have lots of irons in the fire, but relatively few resources. We have some really great attractions in the village and the wider area. We just need them to be publicised and signage is obviously part of that.”
“A new signage scheme for 16 Burren villages is being developed, with Unesco Geopark branding, by Clare County Council,” Mr Lambert added.
“However, in preliminary discussions we have asked to retain the type of sign that has just been damaged (we have three more on other approach roads), as they perform a different function.”