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Clare senator hails ‘game-changing’ retrofit scheme

CLARE’S Green Senator has described the new national retrofitting scheme as a “game changer” for those living in fuel poverty, writes Fiona McGarry. Róisín Garvey told The Champion the issue prompted her to enter politics in the first place, after her own personal experiences as a young mother. On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved a scheme that aims to retrofit 500,000 homes by the end of the decade. Launching the scheme, the Green Party leader said the scheme would help reduce the cost of living, particularly heating bills. The programme would see up to 80% of the cost of smaller insulation works met by the State. “When I lived in a house in Ennistymon with my young son, I couldn’t afford to put the heat on,” she told The Champion. “When I told the landlord, he pumped the walls and insulated the attic and we were never cold again. That was a game changer. This scheme is one of the reasons …

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Council wants €3m annually to take on Shannon Heritage sites

CLARE County Council is seeking an annual €3 million subvention for capital works to fund planned maintenance and upgrading of local Shannon Heritage sites, writes Dan Danaher. This was revealed at a briefing meeting involving senior council officials and Clare Oireachtas members on Friday. It is understood this is one of the authority’s key requirements before it will agree to the transfer of these key tourist attractions from the Shannon Group. The proposed grant, which will be subject to government approval, is being sought for about three years in view of the apparent deterioration in the condition of some of the Shannon Heritage attractions in the county. This would also help the council to cover some of the operational overheads to manage Bunratty Castle, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen. Deputy Michael McNamara said work is required to repair the roof on Bunratty Castle. Even though a lot of money was spent on improving the Walled Garden in Knappogue Castle a few …

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Worker injured after being struck by car on Clare road

A ROAD worker has been injured after he was struck by a car at a work site on a busy road in Co Clare this afternoon. The collision occurred shortly after 3.00pm at roadworks on the R352 main Ennis to Tulla Road in Clooney Village. The man was struck by the car which then collided with a mini-digger. National Ambulance Service paramedics and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ennis station responded to the incident along with Gardaí. It’s not known whether there was anyone in the mini-digger at the time of the collision but the driver was out of the vehicle when emergency services arrived. The injured worker was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. It’s understood that the worker suffered multiple fractures while the driver of the car escaped injury. Fire crews made the crashed car safe and set up an emergency traffic management system …

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Want to take part in Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade?

A CALL has gone out for participants to take part in the 2022 Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade. The annual county parade is open to all individuals, groups, clubs and societies from across Clare. The Ennis Municipal District are looking forward to welcoming back those who normally actively participate in the parade and would encourage and warmly welcome new additions to the line-up this year. Organisers expect additional spectators from at home and abroad, saying the parade is a great opportunity to showcase Clare culture and talents.  Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Ann Norton, said, “It is great to see a return to ‘in person’ events, I look forward to welcoming you all into the town to enjoy the traditional St Patrick’s Day parade. I would like to thank all the other agencies who work alongside Ennis Municipal District to co-ordinate this event.” The theme is ‘Coming Together’, with prizes to be secured under the following categories: Best visual …

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Taoiseach to Clare County Council: ‘Get on with it’

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has come under fire after an impatient response when quizzed about the future transfer of Shannon Heritage properties to Clare County Council. Responding to questions from Deputy Michael McNamara, the Taoiseach said if the council wanted to take over the sites, they should just get on with it. A due diligence process regarding the transfer of the assets, (including Bunratty Castle, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen) began last summer, but with the 2022 tourist season approaching, it still has not been concluded. It is understood that Clare County Council is looking for a commitment that it will receive around €9 million in capital funding over a few years if it takes over the assets, with significant improvement and maintenance works set to be required in the coming years. Clare TD Michael McNamara raised the future of sites with the Taoiseach on Tuesday, asking him for a commitment to provide Clare County Council with the backing it needs. “I …

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Ennis golden boys in ‘shop window’ after Euro heroics

Ivan Smyth catches up with Dean and Dylan Casey who along with Niall Murphy and Mark Hanrahan brought home team gold from the European U20 Cross Country Championships BACK home after their gold medal heroics in Portugal on Sunday the twin brothers who led Ennis Track to European glory have been reflecting on their feat. Dean and Dylan Casey ran first and second as Ennis Track secured team gold in the Junior Men’s grade at the ECCC Cross Country Championships. Niall Murphy produced a gritty display of racing as he crossed the line in 11th place on a morning where Ennis Track simply obliterated the field. Murphy was fourth inside the opening kilometre but despite falling back slightly, he displayed admirable heart to hold on and help his team win gold. Mark Hanrahan finished in 18th as Ennis Track were the only club to have four athletes finish inside the top 20. The Casey brothers ran an aggressive race in …

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VIDEO: Behind the scenes in Clare with ‘Smother’ crew

THE stunning scenery of west Clare has been enjoying more national exposure recently with the return to screens of RTE’s hit drama Smother. Smother has been supported from its inception by Clare County Council, whose arts officer, Siobhán Mulcahy, said: “Clare County Council is delighted to support and accommodate Smother logistically and behind the scenes, as we value its potential to promote our beautiful county, to provide investment and employment opportunities and to encourage the further development of local talent. “It has also provided us with a valuable opportunity to deepen our engagement and further our partnership with regional film supports such as WRAP and Film in Limerick.” The production has also been supported by Innovate Limerick through Film in Limerick, who have a regional remit for developing the sector in the Mid-West and they have produced a short behind-the-scenes film on the filming in Lahinch. Funded by Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and the WRAP Fund and with BBC …

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Clare TD calls for more ambulance resources after her baby is delivered in one

A CLARE Dáil Deputy has called for increased resources for the ambulance service after personnel assisted her to have her sixth child outside Kilrush Golf Club on Monday, writes Dan Danaher. The ambulance that collected Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne didn’t even make it to University Maternity Hospital Limerick in time and the baby girl, who weighed 6.10oz was delivered in the ambulance beside Kilrush Golf Course. Having commenced her maternity leave in January, Deputy Wynne’s due date was not until March but she instinctively suspected it would be early. Mother and baby are doing well and the Kilrush-based Deputy was due to be discharged on Wednesday evening. She told The Clare Champion that she is delighted with her new baby. “I am over the moon to announce the arrival of my sixth child. Albeit an eventful labour and birth, I couldn’t be happier to be holding her in my arms. “I am thrilled to welcome the newest member of our family …

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