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THE green light has been given for traffic calming measures to be introduced in Ennis at a location where cars are travelling at speeds “way past any acceptable level”. A special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard details of the proposed works at Cappahard on the Tulla Road and a local route known as The Lane. The project involves the construction of a new footpath from Cappahard Lane to where it meets the Tulla Road. Works will include the installation of kerbing and tarmac footpath, dished kerbing, tactile paving, signage, road gullies and the installation of drainage pipes. The plans also include road markings, and additional ducts for eight lighting lamp standards. The project went out to public consultation and four submissions were received. Among the submissions there were calls for signage to denote ‘Children at Play’ with one stating, “There are some cars which travel at speed which would be way past any acceptable level.” Councillor Johnny Flynn …

Councillor says more proactive approach would help tackle dereliction REMEDIAL work to a dangerous building on Main Street in Tulla is expected to begin at the start of July, prompting hopes that disruption for pedestrians and motorists will come to an end in a matter of weeks. In April, Clare County Council issued a ‘Dangerous Structures Notice’ to the owner of the vacant building, ordering them to address safety concerns. The authority closed off a section of the footpath and put a temporary traffic management system in place in the interests of public safety. The arrangement has been the source of considerable annoyance locally, particularly as the matter continued to drag on into the summer. “People are very put out about this,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “They’re particularly annoyed at the fact the situation has been allowed to continue for so long. “You have (heavy goods vehicles) HGVs coming through town, from the Gort side, to do their essential deliveries …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final (Extra-Time if Necessary) Clare v Waterford @ Semple Stadium Thurles, Sunday 3.30pm (Colm Lyons, Cork) With a full hand to choose from, Clare would undoubtedly be heading to Thurles on Sunday in confident mood of turning over last year’s All-Ireland Quarter-Final result. Traditionally, Clare wouldn’t have the same innate hang-ups about Waterford as they would to a Tipperary or Cork or in more recent times Limerick. Of course, that’s the same for Waterford who will view this match-up as the best of a bad lot in an ultra-competitive Munster Championship. However, there was the growing sense that things seemed to be falling into place for Brian Lohan and his side at the perfect time to peak for championship. That is overtly seen through their improving performances and results as the National League developed but even positionally, there were less and less question marks over personnel. Captain John Conlon’s switch to centre-back certainly raised some initial …

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S John Crowe has been elected Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District for the coming year, with Michael Begley elected deputy. The position means he will chair meetings of Shannon area councillors, while he will also represent the area at certain events. Councillor Crowe was elected last Friday evening, succeeding Newmarket’s Pat McMahon. At the meeting Councillor McMahon said he had only worn the chain of office a couple of times, due to the country being in lockdown for so long. He described the last 12 months as “a most eventful year”, which will be remembered throughout history. The Fianna Fáil representative said he was concerned about the economic fallout, which may become more apparent in the months to come.  He warned that Shannon Airport is in trouble, and noted that its board hasn’t had a chairperson for many months. “It wouldn’t happen in Dublin Airport,” he added. Councillor McMahon said that Shannon has lost two CEOs in recent years, …

THE peak of the holiday season is coming within weeks, and west and north Clare are going to see huge numbers of visitors, as staycations will again trump foreign travel for most people this year. With the influx to come in mind, Fianna Fáil’s Joe Killeen put forward a motion calling for greater preparedness. The councillor’s motion called for, “Clare County Council, Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Gardai and other relevant agencies, as well as pubs and restaurants, to come together to assess their facilities in preparation for the summer staycation and make the changes necessary, including temporary emergency parking, provision of extra toilet facilities and refuse collection, in order to promote greater preparedness for the anticipated influx of tourists.” In a written reply, Director of Service Leonard Cleary outlined some of the steps that are being taken. “In the post-Covid tourism context, visitors are encouraged to spend more time outdoors experiencing the Clare tourism attractions. …

Kerry 3-22 Clare 1-11 KERRY expectedly marched on to a Munster Semi-Final meeting with holders Tipperary on away soil in a fortnight’s time after keeping Clare at arm’s length in Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday evening, reports Eoin Brennan. A veritable graveyard for the Banner, the Killarney venue was greeted by a much more entertaining spectacle than their last two attempts. Ultimately however, the cut-throat knock-out nature of the tie meant that any hint of a moral victory was redundant on this occasion for a battling Banner. Things looked ominous in the early stages when Kerry and more pointedly Seanie O’Shea (4) sliced through Clare with ease to kick five unanswered points within the first eight minutes. However, despite facing into a strong wind, when Clare did finally get out of their own half, they were effective and after a potential goal opportunity for Gavin Cooney, substitute Emmet McMahon finally opened Clare’s account just before the water break at 0-5 to …

Following league wins over Dublin and Kilkenny, selector Ken Ralph told Ronan Judge the Clare camp is in a good position ahead of their Munster Championship opener with Waterford on Sunday. CLARE selector Ken Ralph is in upbeat mood as he assesses Clare’s prospects against Waterford in Sunday’s Munster Hurling Championship opener. And the Clarecastle club man says the form among players and management is of a similar vein after Clare closed out their league campaign with high scoring victories over Dublin and Kilkenny. The winning end to what was a sprint of a league came after early defeats to Antrim and Wexford. Ralph says there was never a sense of panic in those early weeks. Rather, management were happy with what they were seeing. Performance levels and effort were going in the right direction. The feeling was the results would follow. “I suppose looking back at the league, we’re happy enough at how things went. You’re never totally happy. …

GIRLS in a Killaloe primary school have been lauded for producing an “amazing” mural that has completed transformed a wall at the back of the grounds. Even people walking past Killaloe Convent Primary School are taking a look at the eclectic mix of colour and imagination on what was previously a bland wall. “It has brought the happiness from the front of the school right to the back,” said teacher, Alison Varley. “When the kids are out playing during their break, it would give you a pep in your step looking at the bright colours and characters, she added.” This was a Teacher Artist Partnership (TAP) project, which has been run by the Clare Education Centre, Kilrush Road, Ennis. The idea is for an artist to partner with a teacher, who has completed TAP training, and work in collaboration with them and their students. Artist, Nathalie El Baba was delighted to work with students and teachers in Killaloe Convent School …