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Eleven additional Covid-19 cases have been diagnosed in Clare bringing to 22 the total number of new cases in the county since last weekend. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn said that as of midnight Wednesday, July 29, the HPSC has been notified of 85 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 26,027 confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland. The 11 cases in Clare represent the second largest increase in the county since June 1 when a total of 37 new cases were confirmed. The HSE also confirmed that the eight cases announced on Tuesday are new, and that some of them relate to a cluster in the Ennis area. It follows on from the three additional cases announced on Sunday, which brought a five-week run of being Covid-free to an end in Clare. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county stands at 380. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been …

In consultation with the HSE, all bathing restrictions are being lifted at White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay, with immediate effect. The temporary prohibition on swimming remains in place at Kilkee and Quilty (front beach). A spokesperson said there is ongoing monitoring at these locations and Clare County Council is in consultation with the HSE.  

THERE has been a welcome boost for a long-cherished plan to create a greenway along the route of the old West Clare Railway, linking Ennis to the towns of Kilrush and Kilkee. This week, Minister for Climate Change, Communications Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan announced funding €255,000 for the project. The allocation will enable the start of an active consultation phase involving landowners along the route, with a view to creating another world-class visitor attraction in Clare. The funding, which was allocated under the Carbon Tax Fund 2020, represents a total allocation of €4.5m to 26 greenways and provides support for feasibility, planning and design. The allocation to the West Clare Railway Greenway Project will progress the proposed amenity past concept and feasibility stage and allow Clare County Council to start actively engaging with landowners on route selection and preparation of the statutory consent phase of development – namely planning permission, environmental impact assessment and preliminary design. It is envisaged …

The Wild Atlantic Way is inspiring, renewing, relaxing and invigorating and this week The Clare Champion, in collaboration with The Connacht Tribune, will publish the third edition of ‘Where West’ magazine, the ultimate guide to planning your staycation holiday along the west coast of Ireland. ‘Where West’ magazine is designed to help readers get the most out of their daytrip or long weekend in both Clare and Galway post Covid-19 lockdown. The magazine is packed with local information, hidden gems and plenty of things to do in both counties. All along the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest defined coastal touring route, the spectacular scenery embellishes the tourism offering from quaint eateries, to pretty seaside villages, sandy bays and cliff top walks. Clare Champion managing director, John Galvin said Clare is renowned for its tourism offering and the development of the Wild Atlantic Way has added another important string to its bow. “In so many ways, counties Clare and Galway …

Clare Fianna Fáil TD  Cathal Crowe is calling for a new transport system to be implemented for Thomond Park as part of a planned €40 million redevelopment of the area around the iconic stadium. Plans have been unveiled for a development including an arena with capacity for 5,000 including a large hotel adjacent to it and further transport options. Deputy Crowe believes there is a key opportunity here to utilise Clare’s proximity to Limerick City in terms of transport options. “I’ve made this call before but I really believe now is an opportune time to consider putting a transport system in place given the level of investment being put into Thomond Park at present,” said Deputy Crowe. “There’s huge scope for a park and ride system in Parteen for example, which would pull a lot of that match traffic out of the system that so many of us rugby fans have endured over the years. “There’s also the option of linking up Thomond …

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has been notified of 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There were no new cases reported in Clare. The county figure remains at 372. There is now a total of 25,929 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.  There have been no new deaths reported to the HPSC today. There has now been a total of 1,764 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Today’s cases are spread across a range of different settings and age groups. 75% of cases are under 45 years of age, with a median age of 33 years. At least half of today’s cases were known close contacts of other confirmed cases. “It remains vital that if a person is concerned that they have been in contact with a confirmed …

Clare County Council, on the advice of the HSE, has placed a temporary prohibition on swimming in Kilkee and Quilty (front beach) due to increased bacterial levels in the bathing water. The situation is being monitored regularly and the prohibition on swimming will remain until further notice. Due to increased bacterial levels in the bathing water at White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown, it is advised not to swim at these locations until further notice. The risk from increased bacterial levels is a result of run-off from the catchment area after heavy rainfall.

Among the people appearing before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response today is Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine. Representatives of Ryanair, Aer Lingus and the DAA are also appearing before the committee in Leinster House. Passenger numbers at Shannon have fallen very significantly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, while some Shannon Heritage sites have remained closed and others, including Bunratty Castle, are due to close for the season at the end of August. Shannon Group is also responsible for the operation of Shannon Heritage.  Speaking before the meeting, Committee chairman, Michael McNamara TD said: “The catastrophic impact the pandemic response has had on the aviation industry was outlined to Committee members, last week by unions. TDs were warned of a “tsunami” of redundancies and the potential liquidation of Aer Lingus. “We will continue our investigation into this sector, when we hear from officials from the management of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports and officials from airlines; Aer Lingus …