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A WEST Clare councillor has called for the reclassification of regional roads in the district to facilitate more regular gritting during a cold snap. Councillor Murphy proposed the R487, R488 between Kilkee, Carrigaholt and Kilbaha, and the R473 between Kildysart and Labasheeda, be included as strategic regional routes in future winter service plans as Priority Two. Speaking at a recent West Clare Municipal District meeting, Councillor Murphy said these two strategic regional routes were not included in the Winter Plan for treating roads, despite the fact they served significant populations. The Kilkee Councillor said the R487 is effectively a main road to the Loop Head Peninsula for about 3,000 people. “These roads should be treated as Priority Two, which means their treatment will not be done on an ad-hoc basis. This would ensure they are a core part of the treatment of roads rather than we will get to them if we can. “This is exactly the kind of stuff …

A JUDGE has stated that she is not going to criminalise four respectable north Clare farmers involved in a row over a right of way in Bellharbour in the Burren. At Ennis District Court, Judge Mary Larkin told the four men, “You can’t be pushing and shoving and rowing about a right of way. I am happy for the circuit court to resolve the right of way matter.” In the case, the four men deny the assault charges against them before the district court. Twin brother and farmer, Terence McGann (43) of Turlough, Bellharbour, denies  the assault of Joseph Forde at Turlough, Bellharbour, on October 4 2021. Mr McGann’s twin and farmer, Justin (43) of the same address denies the assault of Emmet Forde at the same location on the same date. Arising from the same incident, Emmet Forde (32) of Glenoir, St Senan’s Road, Ennis, denies the assault of Justin McGann at the same location on the same date …

A FULLY electric Ennis Town Bus Service is scheduled to come into service in the first quarter of 2025. A route test exercise was carried out late last year confirming the feasibility of the plan, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has told the Dáil. He was responding to a question by Deputy Joe Carey who said the National Transport Authority (NTA) is involved in discussions with Clare County Council to secure land for the charging infrastructure and details will be outlined more precisely as the process is worked through. “I have been told by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan that a route test exercise was carried out in December and, while final routes may change slightly for operational or coverage considerations, the exercise confirmed the feasibility of the current plan. “This year, the NTA’s Service Planning team will be undertaking a number of steps including finalising the preferred routes as well as developing detailed stop and terminus designs. “This will be done …

HERBAL cannabis with an estimated value in excess of €240,000 has been seized this Wednesday at Shannon Airport. As part of routine operations and with the assistance of detector dog, Marley, Revenue officers seized over 12kgs of the illegal drugs. They were discovered concealed in two parcels that had arrived in an air cargo consignment from France and were destined for an address in Limerick. Investigations are ongoing. This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number in 1800 295 295.

WORLD Wetlands Day will be celebrated in Shannon this Thursday, February 2, at a lunchtime event to explore their importance to the environment. Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies, and more. Yet, nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people’s understanding of these important ecosystems and two community events are taking place for Clare. The Shannon Town Community Wetlands Project in conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme will host a very special lunchtime event to explore how wetland restoration work has occurred on this important site. The event, led by LAWPRO’s Community Water Officer, Ruairí Ó Conchúir, …

A SURFER who rescued a swimmer caught off the Clare shore by a rip current and an Ennis lifeguard named Volunteer of the Year were among those honoured at Water Safety Ireland’s national awards. Patrick Gordon’s quick actions saved the life of a man in difficulty at Spanish Point last summer. He received a SEIKO Just In Time Awards and Rescue Appreciation Award at the annual ceremony which was held online. Last July, Patrick was out surfing in strong winds with a friend at Spanish Point. They heard a swimmer shouting for help after getting pulled from shore by a rip current. He immediately paddled towards the swimmer and told his friend to make for shore to get help. Patrick took his friend’s board, reached the exhausted swimmer, and got him to hold onto the board until he regained his breath and was able to make it safely back to shore. Also honoured on the night was Sinead Mortell from …

SWEET music will ring out once again around the historic village of Kilfenora, when some of the finest local and national players and singers gather there from April 21 to 24. In just over two months’ time, the village will stage the 14th annual Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival. The hugely anticipated event first got underway in 2009 in tandem with the 100th anniversary of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. As always, this year’s programme will include a wealth of great concerts, céilíthe, CD launches, pub sessions and a young musicians’ workshop. The main concert will be staged on the night of Saturday, April 22. This year, the event features a mighty array of talent and All-Ireland winners, including Órlaith McAuliffe, Daithí Gormley, Dylan Carlos and Brian McGrath, supported by three fine singers – Katie Theasby, Kathleen Lynch and Theresa Garrihy, plus an award-winning young musician from the 2022 Meitheal Summer School. Tickets are €20 and will be available online as well as in various …

THIS year’s Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade will celebrate ‘Communities in Action’ as it wends its way through the streets from 11am on March 17. The Ennis Municipal District are inviting individuals, groups, clubs and societies from across Clare to participate in the 2023 Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade. The local authority stated it was looking forward to its regular participants showcasing their talents again this year while also encouraging new groups and individuals to take the plunge, submit an entry and get in on the fun. The deadline to apply to get involved is Thursday, February 16. Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy commented, “The St. Patrick’s Day parade is a wonderful event where people from all over Clare unite, from the world of sports and the arts in addition to our many community groups to celebrate our Irish culture. “I would like to thank all the other agencies, who work alongside Ennis Municipal District to co-ordinate this event.” …