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Shannon Airport and Lagan Asphalt Group have announced the completion of a €15 million resurfacing project on Ireland’s longest runway, eight weeks ahead of schedule. Work commenced in May, including the full rehabilitation of 2,400 metres of runway surface, the replacement of runway edge and centre line lighting with energy efficient LED lighting, ducing and other associated works. A team of 90 people and 70 vehicles worked on the runway at night to avoid disrupting flights. The project is part of a €15m investment programme and was financed through a loan secured from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. Matthew Thomas, CEO of Shannon Group said, “The runway is the main artery of Shannon Airport and has been one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the region since its construction in 1961. It provides a crucial link to the global community and has facilitated the growth of Irish tourism and business in the region for over 55 years.” He …

  Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Timmy Dooley has called for attractive incentives in Budget 2018 to support Irish motorists in making the move to electric cars. Deputy Dooley claimed Ireland is already playing catch up when it comes to moving to electric and thereby decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. “Budget 2018 is an opportunity for the Government to send out a clear and unambiguous message that it wants to support Irish motorists in making the move. “The use of electric vehicles will play a major role in addressing climate change and can also cut costs for the motorist. “There are many things that we can do to help ease and incentivise the transition,” he said. The Fianna Fáil Deputy proposed measures in Budget 2018 such as removing motor tax for all EVs for the next five years, eliminating motor tolls for five years, and rolling out more fast-charge points across the road network to remove …

  A South-East Clare shop owner got his holidays off to the perfect start after selling the winning €500,000 EuroMillions Plus ticket in Sunday night’s bumper €190 million draw. Lance O’Neill, owner of Barrys Mace in Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, had just started a family holiday near Barcelona in Spain when he learned one of his customers is a half a million Euros richer. Ironically the jackpot winning ticket from last night’s mega €190 million EuroMillions Jackpot was actually sold in Spain. “How ironic is that. I can confirm that I did not buy a EuroMillions ticket here so I am not the Spanish jackpot winner,” laughed Lance. Lance has owned his shop in the small South-East Clare community for 13 years. He sold a quarter of a million Euro winning Lotto ticket nine years ago. “It’s a small village and it would be lovely if it was somebody local who has won. But it could also have been anybody driving through …

One man was taken to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) as a precaution following a house fire in Ennis on Sunday . Emergency services were called to the scene after 6pm on Sunday when a fire was reported at a house on the Tulla Road near the entrance to the Castlerock Housing Estate. Two units of the fire brigade, an ambulance and gardaí responded to the incident, arriving within minutes. When firemen arrived they found the house was smoke logged. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house to check there was no one inside. They quickly located a fire in the kitchen area and brought it under control. It is understood the fire originated in the kitchen in the vicinity of the cooker. Firemen also vented the house by opening all the windows and by using positive pressure ventilated fans. This process involves using large petrol driven fans to blow fresh air into the dwelling and to get rid of any smoke. No major external damage was caused to the outside of the building. One man was treated at the scene by National Ambulance Service paramedics and was later taken to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) as a precaution. The Clare Fire and Rescue Service has categorised the incident as a relatively minor fire as there was no significant injuries or damage.   Dan Danaher  

THE average asking price for a house in Clare jumped by almost 8% between the third quarter of 2016 and the third quarter of 2017, new figures have revealed. It follows a rise of 6% between 2015 and 2016. The average price now sought in the county is just shy of €168,000, 40% above the lowest point of the crash. According to Daft’s figures, the average asking price for a one-bed apartment in Clare is €61,000, while it is €79,000 for a two-bed apartment. The average price for a three-bed semi-detached house is €118,000, it is €223,000 for a four-bed bungalow and a five-bed detached house is €244,000. The report states that prices across the province of Munster as a whole are typically 8% higher than they were a year ago. There are just over 8,000 properties advertised on the site in the province, 8% less than in the third quarter of 2016. Just over half of all properties in …

A Dublin man watched on in horror as his base-jumping partner bounced off the Cliffs of Moher and plunged to his death last April. In a deposition at the inquest into the death of Malcolm Rowley, 45, Greg McEntee said that Mr Rowley’s parachute opened facing towards, rather than away from, the Cliffs. Mr Rowley’s parachute opened the wrong way nafter he ran and jumped off the Cliffs and free-fell for a few seconds at around 7.10am on Saturday, April 22 last. Mr McEntee said, “He hit the cliffs and hit it a few times, bouncing off the cliff all the way to the bottom”. At a recent inquest in Ennis, Clare coroner, Isobel O’Dea recorded a verdict of misadventure after hearing that Mr Rowley of Bantry, Cork died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in the 600ft fall. Moments before Mr Rowley’s fatal jump, Mr McEntee successfully performed the base jump. In his deposition, he said he took …

Nine towns and villages in Clare have been allocated grants totalling €944,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A figure of €200,000 will be provided under the scheme for Tradaree Food Hub in Newmarket- on- Fergus. A sum of €100,000 each in funding will be given towards building conversions for digital hubs in Kilrush and Kilkee, the multi-service innovation centrein Ennistymon, the streetscape rejuvenation in Clarecastle, the Cnoc na Gaoithe expansion in Tulla, the community centre refurbishment in Miltown Malbay and the economic gateway project in Scarriff/Tuamgraney. Furthermore, €80,000 is nbeing provided for the pier and camping area in Kildysart and €64,000 for the development of two walks in Doonbeg. The scheme, which was launched in April, focuses on projects which can help to enhancen and develop rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development. “A particular emphasis has been placed on projects which have the capacity to support the economic development of rural town …

A public protest aimed at highlighting issues relating to the provision of water-based rescue services in Kilkee, will take place on Thursday, October 12 at 7pm. It will be held beside the Irish Coast Guard station at the East End car park in the town. One of the groups represented will be the Kilkee Boat and Fishing Club. Ray O’Halloran, who is a member, was keen to point out that his reason for protesting is linked to the structure of the Kilkee Coast Guard Unit and has nothing to do with the volunteers. Currently, the local unit is not allowed to pass George’s Head on a rescue mission. “I’m not protesting against the guys that are in there. I have great admiration for them because they are doing a voluntary job and they are the first people that I would call or depend on. “The protest that I’m involved in has nothing to do with the people involved, it’s to …