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CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace an existing telecoms mast in Scariff with a much higher structure have resurfaced, now that the developers have lodged an appeal.  While the Council rejected permission for a 21m structure in the town, Eir have now told An Bord Pleanála they are willing to reduce the height of the mast to 18m, if necessary. Making the offer to reduce the height, the appeal document warns that refusal “will reduce the quality of service to the wider area” and “result in a reduction for other digital coverage providers to gain representation on it”.  In documents submitted by agents Towercom, Eircom Ltd, trading as Eir, acknowledges the Council’s refusal of planning permission on the grounds of mast’s visual impact on the town and a scenic East Clare route. However, the appellant “respectfully disagrees” with the local authority’s rationale.  Documents submitted to An Bord Pleanála describe the proposed new mast, at the Eir exchanfe at the Connacht Road, as …

Central Statistics Office figures show that almost 8% of the Ennistymon electoral division is Ukrainian. This represents the highest concentration of Ukrainian refugees in the country, with arrivals from the war-torn country comprising 7.87% of the population of the area. This is significantly more than in any other part of the country, the second highest being an area of Leitrim, with 5.36%. Even within Clare the Ennistymon area is exceptional, with the percentages for the other electoral divisions being Kilrush 1.52%, Shannon 2.14%, Ennis 2.19% and Killaloe 0.25%. In raw numbers, 1,411 PPSN allocations were made to Ukrainian arrivals in the Ennistymon electoral division, up until September 25. There were 680 allocations in the Shannon area, with 734 in Ennis, 337 in Kilrush and just 54 in Killaloe.  In Clare, 363 Ukrainian children have been enrolled in primary schools and 166 in secondary schools. Lisdoonvarna-based County Councillor Joe Garrihy said that the integration of the new Ukrainian arrivals has been …

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Busselton heads 37 entries for the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick on Sunday, October 23. Successful in a dramatic renewal of the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel last month, the five-year-old is one of four entries from the all-conquering O’Brien yard as the Piltown trainer seeks a first win in the race. Runner-up in the Tote Galway Plate and third in the Listowel Festival feature event, Darasso could also feature for O’Brien along with A Wave Of The Sea, second last year in the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National, and Early Doors, a winner over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 and successful in the Tote Galway Plate the following year. Willie Mullins has won three of the last five renewals of the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National and looks set to rely on El Barra which had Busselton in second place when winning at the Punchestown festival in late April. A …

HAVING run the Wings festival in Shannon this summer, Damian O’Rourke has endeavoured to keep live music happening regularly in Shannon, and is now behind a couple of ongoing events around the town. One of these is a monthly Wings session  in the Shannon Springs hotel. “It’s the last Sunday of every month, it has come out of the Wings festival in June,” Damian explained. “We had the wind down session for that, it was an immense day, and we just wanted to keep it going. We had something the following month and I was thinking of having it every second Sunday, but a friend of mine recommended doing the last Sunday of the month because it’s easy for people to remember. “We’ve been doing it since June and it’s going well, it starts at 1pm on the Sunday and it keeps going until whenever.” It is open to everyone, whether they want to play or just listen. “It’s a …

THE OLD traditions of Samhain with some fun modern twists will be celebrated this Halloween at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Time travelling twists, creepy crypts and pagan roots are all part of Bunratty’s plans during a special Halloween festival to mark the traditional Irish Samhain. This Halloween midterm, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is inviting visitors to come and experience Samhain from October 29 to November 2. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Events Manager Marie Brennan outlined a flavour of what to expect during the mid-term festivities. “Halloween is always an exciting time for us here at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, with lots of activities for all the family to enjoy, from the Creepy Crypt, and “Head Will Roll and Thriller” mini disco to the Halloween Spook Train ride, and our Fearsome Fairy Village where unpleasant creatures abide.” In fact the team has been busy getting ready for some weeks and has enlisted the help of local school …

AN Ennis man’s love for classic cars is the driving force behind a fundraiser for Cahercalla Hospice. Motor enthusiast David Queally has launched a brand new book titled ‘Early Motoring in Clare’ which explores vehicles registered in the county from 1904 until 1940. As well as bringing the county’s motoring history to life, the book is also raising funds for the Ennis community hospice. David explains he had the idea for the book for some time, and he is delighted to see it come to fruition now. “A gentleman approached me many years ago wondering if I could tell him what was the registration of his uncle’s car which he had in the 1930s. I always had an interest in old cars, ever since I was a young child, and over the years I had picked up a lot of information from older people about them. “There are some records of cars in other counties around Ireland, but strangely enough …

A COUNTY Clare rider has made an excellent start to the 2022/2023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup season, scoring a podium place finish in the opening round of the series at Oslo in Norway on Sunday. Riding the 12-year-old mare Chakra, Eoin McMahon was one of 11 combinations to make it into the jump-off after a clear first round. Drawn first to go in the jump-off, McMahon posted an impressive clear in 46.13 seconds against the clock, which would be good enough for third place at the finish and 15 league points for the Clareman. Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan was also among the starters, and finished with one fence down in the first round with Springfield. The second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, Western European League, takes place in Helsinki, Finland next weekend.

A man found near a stolen SUV in Shannon and allegedly in unlawful possession of a vehicle diagnostic unit was “somewhat of a ghost in this jurisdiction”, a court has heard. Michal Grzegorek (31), of no fixed abode, was arrested in Shannon in August in close proximity to a stolen Range Rover, Ennis district court heard. Opposing Grzegorek’s application to be released on bail, Garda Robert Grant, of Shannon Garda station, said the accused was located approximately 500 metres from the vehicle in Shannon on August 25. Garda Grant said Grzegorek could not account for his movements on the night nor his proximity to the vehicle. The garda said Grzegorek was searched and is alleged to have had in his possession, a Range Rover key and a diagnostic key for vehicles. Grzegorek is charged that at Shannon garda station Tullyvarraga, Shannon on August 25, when not at his place of residence, he possessed a Range Rover key and an on-board …