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PEDAL power has helped to raise over half a million euro for branches of Down Syndrome Ireland in Munster, including Clare. 2021 will certainly be a year to remember for Tour de Munster, not only as the Tour celebrated its 21st edition, but also raising a phenomenal €522,201-  its largest sum to date for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. The grand total was revealed at a cheque presentation on Saturday with cycling legend and long term supporter of the Tour, Sean Kelly, presenting the cheque. Jean Hanrahan of Down Syndrome Clare said, “A huge round of applause is in order for all those involved in this year’s Tour de Munster. It’s truly great to see that, despite the circumstances of the past 18 months, 2021 has been the most successful Tour to date in terms of funds raised. From us all in Down Syndrome Clare, we can’t express our gratitude enough. ” Since the tour began in 2001, …

PUBS and restaurants around the county remain open, but with Covid-19 again rampant, the sector is feeling the pinch. At the same time there is some evidence that general retail has continued to perform well, with its busiest time of the year approaching. Maurice Walsh of Durty Nelly’s in Bunratty says that expectations of a very strong Christmas party season have evaporated. “Our Christmas party set-up would be based around Limerick, Shannon and Ennis, with corporate business. In the last seven or eight days 80% of them have cancelled,” he said on Tuesday. Durty Nelly’s had been set for a very strong Christmas, comparable to 2017 or 2018, prior to this wave of Covid-19. Currently he says turnover is down by about 70%, and he doesn’t know if there will be State support for businesses which are about to lose a lot of seasonal business. The months that followed the summer reopening were quite positive, but he feels the reserves …

THE Taoiseach will be in Ennis on Sunday week (December 5) for the annual Éamon de Valera Commemoration. Micheál Martin has attended previous gatherings at the de Valera monument in the town park at Ennis Courthouse, in his capacity as Fianna Fáíl leader. This visit has added significance due to Micheál Martin’s role as Taoiseach, and the event will be attended by members of the party faithful from Clare as well as the upper echelons of Fianna Fáil. The event will be the 40th annual commemoration of the founding leader of Fianna Fail, Taoiseach and President of Ireland. The ceremony will be hosted by Clare Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Ceantair. The statue of Éamon de Valera, by Jim Connolly, was unveiled in 1981 and has been the focal point for commemorative events for the last four decades.

DESPITE concerns about efforts to pursue a prestigious heritage designation for Inis Cealtra, it has been confirmed it is in the running for UNESCO recognition. Independent TD Michael McNamara congratulated Clare County Council on the news that two of its six applications to become part of a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties have been adjudged to have potential. “I am happy to learn that the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) were adjudged by the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) appointed by the Minister last June to have potential as a World Heritage Property,” Deputy McNamara said. The Clare TD said the potential benefits of either Clare site receiving World heritage Site designation by UNESCO would have significant positive impact on tourism in the county, particularly in light of the unprecedented challenges now facing the domestic and international tourism sector. “World Heritage Properties are sites of cultural and/or natural heritage designated by UNESCO …

FURTHER housing development could be on the cards for Crusheen, with an application for 42 new homes being considered by planners. Proposals from Woodhaven Developments, which have been submitted in recent weeks, represent the next phase of a master plan for lands close to the village centre, on the Gort side. The site is zoned for mixed use and transport utilities. The current application seeks permission for 34 two-storey homes; four two-storey homes with additional attic space and four single-storey houses. In a detailed design statement, Woodhaven outlines how it plans to begin construction on the homes immediately after the completion of the Cluain Fia estate “and the granting of an acceptable planning permission”. The company estimates that completion of the estate will take 36 months and represent an investment of €10.3 million, and the creation of 42 jobs. Discussions on the provision of social housing have taken place with the Housing Section of the council and Woodhaven’s application states …

CENSUS 2022 will add figure work for more than 130 people in County Clare among its number gathering. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) needs to hire 137 census enumerators to deliver and collect census forms to and from every home in Clare next year. Census 2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3, next year. The results from the census are vital to planning the future of public services in Clare and nationwide. To deliver a successful census the team of 137 enumerators will be required to deliver and collect census forms to approximately 43,000 households across the county. Enumerators can earn up to €3,200 for working 10 weeks part-time, between February 28 and May 6, 2022. An online application process opens on November 25 at www.census.ie. Speaking about the role of a census enumerator, Eileen Murphy, head of census administration said, “A census enumerator is a job that really counts. Those who undertake this rewarding position will be providing …

WITH high levels of absenteeism among both children and staff during the current wave of the pandemic, it’s a difficult time in the county’s schools. Peter Walsh, principal of St Conaire’s in Shannon said that a lot of problems have to be dealt with. “I suppose there’s more Covid in the community and therefore there’s more in the schools. The children aren’t vaccinated so they’re bound to be more susceptible when it is in the community. “The lack of contact tracing also causes us an issue, in relation to it being pulled from schools. You see the schools replicating what’s happening in the community, I guess.” With teachers absent across all schools, it is increasingly difficult to find cover. “The vast majority would be vaccinated, but the problem is if they are off we are having difficulty replacing them, it’s a system-wide crisis. “We have a supply panel, a couple of supply panels actually here in Clare, but they tend …

  UL Hospitals’ Group vaccinators will open Walk-In Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Clinics for 60-69-year-olds this weekend. The group will continue to run separate walk-in clinics for anyone in the Mid-West who has not yet received their primary Dose One or Dose Two vaccines.   The Walk-in Covid-19 Vaccine Booster clinics for 60-69s will be held at the Mid-West Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Limerick Racecourse this Sunday, November 28 from 8.15am to 6pm. They will continue on Monday at the former OPD at Ennis Hospital from 8.30am to 6pm, and the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh from 8.30am to 6pm. There is no appointment for these Walk-In Booster Vaccine Clinics, which will deliver a single booster dose of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. These clinics are for 60-69 year-olds only – no other age groups are permitted. Five months or 152 days should have elapsed since a person received their Dose 2 vaccine before attending for a booster. As with other …