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A CLARE family is helping to light up Christmas for children with a dazzling festive display, writes Jessica Quinn. A spectacular world of colourful lights, themed props and musical sequences is delighting the young and young-at-heart alike in Meelick in the lead-up to this Christmas, as the Hunt family once again present their wondrous works in support of Childline. Describing himself as a ‘maker’ with a passion for technology, Dave Hunt was first inspired to construct and create his own light show last year when watching videos on YouTube. He set about bringing his vision to life and left no stone unturned to present a very successful debut production which attracted attention from across counties Clare, Limerick and beyond. Now, he’s back with a sensational new display which he is proud to say is bigger and better for 2021. It’s raising vital funds for the Childline listening service, to help make sure every child and young person in Clare and …

THE Clare COVID-19 Vaccination Centre is temporarily relocating from the grounds of Ennis Hospital to Treacy’s West County Hotel this Saturday and Sunday, to maximise capacity in line with demand for weekend walk-in COVID vaccine booster clinics for the 50-69 years age group. Walk-in COVID-19 Booster Clinics for 50-69s will run at the hotel this Saturday from 8.30am-7pm, and on Sunday from 1pm-7pm. Anyone who has received a notification for a scheduled appointment at the former outpatients department of Ennis Hospital on Sunday morning should attend as scheduled. The locations and times of clinics for the week beginning December 20 will be confirmed in the coming days. This relocation comes amid significant demand for weekend COVID-19 vaccine booster clinics, as we approach the first anniversary of the start of the UL Hospitals Group COVID-19 vaccination programme in the Mid-West, which got under way on January 4, 2021. There is no appointment required, but the walk-in booster clinics in the West …

A DECISION by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for 48 houses in Shannon, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Woodhaven Developments was granted planning permission for the Smithstown development, but an appeal has been submitted on behalf of Edward Keena, owner of the Oakwood Hotel. The document notes the site and wider landholding associated with the proposed masterplan area, essentially wraps around the rear of the Treacy’s Oakwood Hotel. “The hotel owner is not satisfied that sufficient consideration has been given to the extent to which the proposed development may impact on the operation and day to day running of the hotel with particular reference to the function room and noise impact.” The document added, “While not averse to development of the subject lands, the primary concern of the hotel owner is the potential for the proposed development to impact on the current operation of the hotel with particular reference to night time use and functions. “The …

A VISION by Burren Lowlands to reimagine the Gort Market Square, was recently realised with the completion of the enhancement works on this much-loved public space.  Burren Lowlands CLG is a volunteer-led community development group whose mission is to make the region a better place to work, live and visit. The Market Square has always been central to the life of Gort town and surrounding communities. The Weigh House located here is a testament to the busy market days of the past, and a Friday market is still held in the Square.   Local architect, Brent Mostert, was responsible for the design. The fact that his office was once located above the Square inspired the design, as he looked upon the comings and goings around the space daily. The primary idea was to create a more open space to allow interaction between the Christ the King monument and people. After some initial fundraising by Burren Lowlands CLG, Town and Village …

THE Barefield National School Choir has been named as a finalist in a national Christmas carol competition. The primary school is among 11 finalists in the Audiology Medical Services Online Christmas Carol Competition, and needs votes from the public to win. There is a prize of €2,000 cash for the winning school. A spokesperson for the competition explained, “Having a hearing loss can be challenging at any time of the year, but none more so than during the Christmas season. “The aim of this competition is to raise awareness among young people on the importance of hearing, and how important the sounds of Christmas are to us all, such as Christmas Carols.” To cast your vote for Barefield NS check https://bit.ly/31Ba7Fe and voting closes Sunday, December 19.

TWO people have been taken to hospital following a multi-vehicle collision in Clare in which one of the cars is believed to have become airborne. The incident occurred at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening on the main N67 Kilrush to Kilkee road in the west of the county. It’s understood that five vehicles in total were involved in the collision which happened between Leadmore and Carnanes. Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Kilrush and Kilkee stations responded to the scene along with Gardai and several National Ambulance Service resources. It’s believed that one car became airborne in the incident and landed on its roof. The occupants of the all the vehicles were assessed at the scene by ambulance paramedics while two people were later transported to University Hospital Limerick for further treatment. Neither is said to have been seriously injured. Gardaí from Kilrush are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Meanwhile, a woman had a lucky escape …

THE Government has announced the allocation of another €10.1 million in funding for Shannon Airport. Shannon is to get €5.527 million under the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programm 2021, while it is also to receive €4.574 million under the Covid-19 Supplementary Support Scheme. According to figures from the Department of Transport, in 2021 Shannon will receive a total of€23.6 million this year, as it continues to grapple with massive drops in traffic due to the pandemic. They also show that €160 million will be the combined sum given by the State to airports this year, with the majority, €97.2 million, going to Dublin. Cork will get €25.1 million while Shannon receives €23.6 million, with Knock, Kerry and Donegal getting much smaller sums. Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton said, “Building on my announcement of allocations totalling €23m under the Supplementary Supports Scheme to Irish Airports in July, I am delighted to announce a further considerable allocation of …

Ennis woman who lost her sight in her 30s appeals for understanding from public for people with disabilities AN Ennis woman who has experienced sight loss has appealed for greater understanding among the general public for people with disabilities. While Clare Cassidy (46) was born fully sighted, her life changed dramatically in January 2009 when she contracted a rare eye condition that left her vision impaired. Her appeal for greater understanding comes after the National Council for the Blind Ireland (NCBI) launched a public information campaign highlighting five things on behalf of people who are blind or vision-impaired. In view of different eye diseases, the NCBI outlined there are varying degrees of visual impairment and blindness; some individuals use white canes to help them navigate, others use guide dogs and others rely on their remaining vision. Because having a vision impairment varies so much, vision can be affected by how sunny or cloudy it is outside. Other times it depends …