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TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland (TII) should be “shot at dawn” for its work on the Clareabbey Roundabout a councillor has said as he renewed calls for traffic calming to be introduced. Councillor Paul Murphy has described efforts to address safety concerns on the roundabout on the outskirts of Ennis over the years as a “personal crusade” believing there will be a serious accident some day if improvements are not made. The Clarecastle councillor has raised numerous notices of motion relating to Clareabbey roundabout at meetings of the Ennis Municipal District over the years. Most recently he has urged that traffic lights and or signalling be introduced to make the roundabout safer for motorists and vulnerable road users. Speaking at a meeting of the council he requested that all motions he has submitted regarding the need for traffic calming at Clareabbey be collated and forwarded to TII, alongside his latest request and that an “urgent response” be made. John Gannon, Senior Executive …

PLANS for a glamping development on the outskirts of Killaloe have been given the green light by Clare County Council. Elaine and Patrick Scanlon, c/o Andrew Hersey Planning, secured planning approval for six glamping pods, toilet block, car parking area, vehicular access, waste water treatment plant and ancillary site works at Lackenbawn, Killaloe subject to nine planning conditions. The planning authority considered the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. One of the planning conditions stipulated the mitigation measures set out in the Natura Impact Statement – which were received by the planning authority on April 14 last – have to be implemented in full throughout the construction phase of the development. Prior to the start of the development, the applicant has to pay a contribution of €6,354 to the council in respect of public …

SHANNON councillors are urging Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make a move in the right direction and erect road signage that would show people the way to the Shannon Aviation Museum and Educational Centre. Councillor PJ Ryan, speaking at a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, pointed to the growing popularity of the attraction as he called on the council to request TII to erect the signage on the N18/M18 and N19. He said that museum acts as both a tourist attraction and a place of education with colleges and schools visiting the centre to introduce young people to aviation. “Shannon has had a lot of firsts in aviation and the public like to be able to relate to that,” he said adding, “we need to be able to direct people towards it.” Anne O’Sullivan, senior executive engineer, told the meeting that Councillor Ryan’s request has been forwarded to TII for consideration and response. Councillor Ryan stated, “Hopefully there will be …

CLARE Ógra Fianna Fáil has elected its first female chair, Ennistymon’s Aoíbhann de Búrca Quinlivan, at its recent AGM. Youth wing members from across the county came together with Oireachtas members Cathal Crowe TD and Senator Timmy Dooley to elect the leadership team for the year at the meeting. The newly elected chair replaces outgoing chair Fionn Sexton of Miltown Malbay. Clare Ógra veteran and national political staffer David Griffin will remain on as deputy chair with Liam Hayes as secretary, Jack O’Dea elected PRO and Colm Maher taking the role of treasurer. Aoíbhann said, “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of Clare. There is a lot of work to do but we are all very excited to see what we can achieve in the coming year. “We have a fantastic team in place with excellent support from our public representatives. “The main focus over the next few months will be getting our name out there and …

A FARMER has had to use silage bales to prevent illegal encampments beside a graveyard in East Clare, in a situation described as “crazy, outrageous, and scandalous”. At the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, incoming Cathaoirleach Alan O’Callaghan appealed to the Council to put in a long-term solution, saying the problem at Ballysheen Graveyard is an ongoing one.  “The ground was given to Clare County Council for the graveyard, in order to facilitate parking,” the Kilmurry man outlined. “Unfortunately, it was being used for other things. A local farmer hat to put bales out. I would not be in agreement with them being taken away, until something long term is actually done in order to stop the issue of illegal encampments. “When pressure is on in other places, that’s when encampments arrive there. Kerbing might work. We have to remember that the farmer has forfeited several bales of silage.There are a good few there.” The Fianna Fáil member …

A SHANNON councillor is calling for ‘Action’ in promoting the positives of the town. Councillor Donna McGettigan has proposed that the Shannon Municipal District create a video showcasing Shannon and involving community volunteer groups, drone and photo footage. “Our town has some beautiful spots such as the loop and pump track for people to come to visit,” she said at a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. The councillor stated, “A lot of time people tend to focus on the negative, but we need to focus on the positives.” She pointed out that Shannon has a number of community groups “who help make our town what it is” including Tidy Towns and Meals on Wheels who could be featured in the video. She added that Shannon is also home to sporting world champions who could also make an appearance in the video “and talk about growing up in Shannon.” She said the video would be a means of “showing Shannon …

MONDAY, August 1, will see a gathering in East Clare to commemorate two Old IRA volunteers, who were involved in a number of ambushes at the height of the War of Independence. Following extensive research, the family of Captain Mattie McGrath and his brother Dinny of Annaghneal, will remember their contribution to the fight for Irish freedom, and that of their comrades in the Sixth Battalion of the East Clare Brigade. The brothers were involved in up to six ambushes on Crown forces in East and South East Clare, including attacks like the high-profile Glenwood Ambush. “We knew a bit about Mattie and Dinny when we were growing up, but we’ve found out a lot more since then,” said Mike McGrath, a nephew of the men. “The Sixth Battalion organised ambushes all over East Clare, during the War of Independence, with Mattie and Dinny involved in many of them.” Research by Mike’s nephew, Seán, and his daughter Aoife, show that …

TOURISTS coming into East Clare could be at a serious disadvantage if they are driving an Electric Vehicle (EV), due to a lack of rapid chargers.  That was the view expressed by Councillor Pat Hayes who made an appeal, at the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District committee, for better infrastructure to support EVs.  “I’m being asked every day about this and I’d like a progress report,” he said. “I’m wondering about the rapid charging points in particular. If someone comes off the motorway and wants to charge their EV in Killaloe or Scariff, we don’t have a plan for that yet.” The Caher man pointed out that as more motorists make the switch to EVs, charging infrastructure needs to keep pace. “There’s a huge amount of people moving to electric cars and asking where the fast-charging points are,” he said. “The fact is, we don’t have any. There is urgency around this now. We need at least one …