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IRISH Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council have turned the sod on a new Wastewater Treatment Plant for the village of Liscannor. There has also been confirmation that contracts have been signed and issued to provide wastewater treatment facilities in Kilfenora and Kilrush. “This is a significant day for County Clare and its natural environment,” said Caroline O’Reilly, Programme Manager with Irish Water. “These projects have been in the pipeline for many years and are now finally coming to the fore. I am delighted to be here today to represent Irish Water and to meet representatives from the communities of Liscannor, Kilrush and Kilfenora. These projects will eliminate the raw and poorly treated sewage that is flowing into their beautiful waterways and the Atlantic and will support social and economic development, while also protecting the integrity of our environment.” The works in Liscannor will be carried out by the EPS Group and some of the work details include …

MEMBERS of a Sixmilebridge family have been invited to a meeting with the Department of Justice to “explain the next steps” of a state inquiry regarding the death of Patrick Nugent in 1984. The state inquiry led by Judge Patrick Clyne is a report into the Garda investigation of the death of the then 23-year-old banqueting manager in Bunratty. The Nugent family will be accompanied by their solicitor, Kevin Winters of KRM Law LLP, when they meet the Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Justice to discuss Judge Clyne’s report. Having received the advice of the Attorney General, Justice Minister Heather Humphreys told Deputy Michael McNamara in the Dáil on Tuesday the Department of Justice had invited the Nugent family to a meeting to “explain the next steps in relation to Judge Clyne’s final report”. “This meeting is due to take place in person next week. I do appreciate Mr Nugent’s family are most anxious to receive the outcome …

EVIDENCE of social deprivation and isolation in North Clare has been illustrated in a recent pre-feasibility study, commissioned by Clare County Council, into the possible provision of stepped accommodation and associated services at the Stella Maris Centre in Lisdoonvarna. According to a copy of a draft report completed by social research consultant, Neil Haren, data from the 2016 Census provides considerable evidence of both deprivation and social isolation among older people in single and two person households in North Clare. There was a particularly high proportion of older people aged in excess of 75 years, which is half of persons in single person households. The study found 11 percent of those aged 65 and older and living alone in North Clare had no formal education. This applied to 6% of individuals aged 65 and older, and living in two person households. In contrast, the rate of individuals aged 15 years and above in North Clare without formal education was 1.6%. …

Ireland’s first transregional university – Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest – a university whose development largely occurred against a backdrop of a global pandemic, has been officially opened. To be known as TUS, it comprises a student population of more than 14,000 and a staff complement of approximately 2,000 people working fulltime and part-time across an extensive footprint spanning six campuses in Athlone, Limerick (Moylish and Limerick School of Art and Design), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles. It will be a new university, driving development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest with a consolidation of expertise that will further strengthen its competitiveness. TUS was officially launched through an innovative and interactive opening ceremony that took place in the Athlone International Arena and the Millennium Theatre Moylish on Friday. Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins and inaugural TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane were among the keynote speakers for the ceremony. “Education plays a critical role …

Fears bureaucracy may scupper €7m Ennistymon retirement development Fears have been expressed that North Clare will lose the opportunity to develop an approved €7 million purpose built supported retirement complex in Ennistymon unless the national funding criteria is changed to facilitate ambitious plans from a voluntary housing organisation. Inagh Voluntary Housing Association (IVHA) has secured an agreement with Banna Developments to redvelop the old convent site in Ennistymon into a sheltered retirement village with 30 accommodation units, subject to state funding. However, this major elderly housing scheme hangs in the balance over Department of Housing criteria for the administration of government funded projects. Banna Developments, c/o Áine Hussey and Thomas Fitzgerald, Quin, was granted planning permission on December 20, 2019, to refurbish the existing convent building and an extension to include 12 two-bedroom apartments with a doctor’s room, day room and laundry facilities; the construction of a new three-storey building to the rear of the existing building consiting of 18 …

A NUMBER of criminal trials due to be heard in Clare this year could be transferred to Dublin due to ongoing Covid-19 regulations, writes Ronan Judge. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Brian O’Callaghan said the court is not in a position to deal with trials that involve more than one accused person. Judge O’Callaghan said the two metre rule will apply at Ennis Courthouse for trials that are due to commence at Ennis Circuit Court next month. Judge O’Callaghan also told those required to attend trials to wrap up warm as windows and doors are due to be left open to allow for ventilation of the courthouse. Judge O’Callaghan said this had not been an issue during the court’s summer sittings but the situation will be quite different in October, November and December. “Please feel free to wear any warm clothing you wish.” The judge was speaking on Wednesday at a call-over of cases at Ennis Circuit Court. A number …

THE Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society is looking to the future when it comes to bringing the history of the south-Galway attraction and its link to poet WB Yeats to life. The society has taken part in an initiative which will make it easier than ever for visitors to learn more about the historic Thoor Ballylee near Gort. An app has been developed by Great Visitor Experiences with the support of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society volunteers. This app will allow everybody visiting the 14th century tower to discover the story of this unique place was once described by Seamus Heaney as “in cultural terms – the most important building in Ireland” due to its close association with fellow Nobel Laureate for literature, WB Yeats. The well-preserved fourteenth-century tower was where Yeats spent summers with his family and was inspired to write some of his finest poetry, making the tower his permanent symbol. As part of the initiative QR codes have …

A WEST Clare slatted house will double as a recording studio next week, when a group of musicians and singers come together to produce an album to raise funds for research into children’s cancers. The idea is the brainchild of Miltown Malbay native George Benn, who has recently received the all clear after being diagnosed, in recent years, with cancer. Now a long-time resident of Ruan, George is a member of the choir in Ballyea. Over the last few weeks, he and his fellow members, musicians and friends have been busy rehearsing for the 14-track album. The slatted shed, which is owned by choir member Martin Casey, has been centrally important as a venue which facilitates social distancing for the group of around 20. “But for Martin, this wouldn’t have been possible,” George said. Originally, George planned to hold a church concert. “Covid got in the way,” he outlined. “Then I thought, ‘Why not make an album?’ Everyone got behind …