LOCALS and visitors to Ennis and Clarecastle can enjoy walking and cycling on a new riverside route thanks to the collaborative approach taken by Clare County Council and community groups. Last week Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened the River Fergus Walk and Cycleway, which came about after it was necessary to build an access road for a flood relief scheme. This new route runs from the R469 Quin Road in Ennis to the N85 Roundabout at Clareabbey along an area of significant recreational and visual amenity value. The paved walkway along the river is approximately 1.5km and provides a link between the two roads, resulting in a looped walk of 5.5km. The area is rich in heritage and biodiversity and the project is expected to generate significant tourism and educational benefits. Minister Humphreys also met representatives of Clarecastle Tidy Towns where she reviewed the streetscape enhancements that was funded by the Town and Villages Renewal funding from the …

FORMER members of the Doolin Coast Guard unit played a part in the recovery of the body of one of two missing men in north Clare last week. The former unit members managed to locate one body at Aille na Searrach at around on Thursday, April 7, at around 1.30pm. Remaining members of the Doolin Coast Guard Unit are not allowed to search near certain sections of terrain around the cliffs between Doolin and Liscannor. Tom Doherty told The Clare Champion he thought he saw what seemed to be a body in the waters near a cliff shelf on Tuesday, April 5, but the weather was too bad to investigate this matter further. After enlisting the help of another former volunteer, Bernard Lucas, they went down to investigate on Thursday, April 7, at about 1.30pm and located the body. A mobile phone belonging to the man who they located was passed on to Gardaí for identification purposes. On Friday, garda …

THE new Ennistymon River Walk has been described as a “spectacular natural amenity” by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. During a visit to Clare last week, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, visited projects that are supporting the ongoing development and revitalisation of Clare’s rural towns and villages, including an extended DigiClare hub and two community and tourist amenities. The projects in Ennistymon have received funding under the Rural Development Investment Programme, which includes a number of integrated funding interventions. Contributions came from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Connected Hubs Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). Minister Humphreys officially opened the Ennistymon River Walk for which Ennistymon District Community Organisation (EDCO) was granted funding of €69,000 under the ORIS in 2018 to carry out works to the existing river walk. The project, which cost around €94,000 overall, was delivered by EDCO with assistance from Clare County Council’s Rural Development …

CLARE County Councillors have expressed concern about the lack of a definite commitment to provide an economic dividend to the county if the controversial Lough Derg water abstraction proceeds. Irish Water is planning to proceed with its €1.3 billion project to pipe water from the Parteen Basin to Dublin using a 170 kilometre pipeline. Irish Water Resources Specialist, Angela Ryan said she would bring the request for a community dividend back to Irish Water to see if it can provide any more information on this proposal. She stated that any proposed economic dividend for Clare would be considered by Irish Water. While acknowledging the Shannon Scheme provided economic benefits for the country, Councillor Johnny Flynn said it posed major financial difficulties for Clare County Council, which wasn’t provided with any funding to deal with health issues for 5,200 workers. Councillor Flynn noted Clare County Council was so badly hit by increased costs it went into a dissolution in 1942. He …

THE Easter Bunny will make a special appearance in playgrounds throughout East Clare as part of a fundraising event for Clare Crusaders’ Clinic. Children can meet the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 16, in O’Briensbridge at 11am, Broadford at 11.45am, Tulla at 1.30pm and Ennis Fairgreen at 3.30pm for a chat and photographs. Parents can make donations to the collection buckets that will be available at the playgrounds. The idea behind the fundraiser came from The Easter Bunny, Tina O’Loughlin, Broadford, who visited children’s gardens last year to collect money for the local playground development. Tina approached Lourda Doyle who felt this fun event should be repeated this year for Clare Crusaders. Lourda said it is important to raise money for Clare Crusaders, which provides a lot of free therapy to children with special needs. The Easter Bunny visited Barney’s Kids Club on Sunday, which was a huge success for both children and parents, as part of an initiative for …

FEARS have been expressed the proposed water abstraction of more than 330 million litres of water from Lough Derg to Dublin could result in devastating impact for tourism-related business in East Clare. Speaking at a recent council briefing by Irish Water officials, Councillor Tony O’Brien asked if the proposed water abstraction project is a “done deal” or is it still in abeyance. Describing the River Shannon as the greatest natural resource in East Clare, he warned if Irish Water’s projections and forecasts are wrong, then the impact will be devastating and could “close the place down”. Commenting on the drought situation in Lough Derg in 2018, he said harbours and inlets couldn’t be accessed for tourism purposes for boat hire. “I dread to think if water abstraction was in place that time what the consequences would be. I am hugely concerned and so are my constituents. “Nothing will convince me that abstracting water from the River Shannon south of Killaloe …

A UNION has warned that further industrial action may be initiated this Thursday, April 14 following a recent one-day work stoppage, if a company doesn’t implement a Labour Court recommendation. SIPTU members employed in LISK Ireland Ltd commenced a campaign of industrial action at its manufacturing plant in Gort on Monday, April 4, with a work stoppage that began at 8am and concluded at 12 midnight. LISK Ireland’s 150,000 square foot facility is home to both manufacturing and sales of control devices, solenoids and solenoids valves since 1979. SIPTU organiser Stephen Lavelle said members placed pickets at the entrance to the plant on Monday morning. “Our members were left with no option but to begin industrial action due to a management refusal to respect a Labour Court recommendation that the company engage in negotiations with their union. “Management has ignored several invitations from SIPTU representatives to discuss and resolve concerns its members have expressed in relation to their terms and …

SEAN and Fiona Haugh are the epitome of the farm to fork concept, offering full traceability to customers who want their food to be produced in a sustainable way. Not only does, Sean (62) kill cattle in his abattoir on his farm on the outskirts of Kilkee, the third generation butcher sells his own meat with the help of his daughter, Fiona in the Market House, Ennistymon. Sean sources Aberdeen Angus cattle and Charolass yews from his customers in North and West Clare. Every year, he finishes Hereford cattle and Angus after purchasing them as weanlings. The stock is finished on the family farm and fed on a grass-fed system using the rich in nutrient clover pastures along the picturesque coastal walk from the Diamond Rocks Café in Kilkee. Versatile in every way, the Market House Ennistymon comprises of a craft butchers, food hall, deli and café. Founded in July 2015, the father and daughter run business provides locals and …