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A NEW Clare hero arrived home this afternoon, as John Burke touched down at Shannon Airport, having scaled Mount Everest. As he emerged from the aircraft the 38-year-old hotelier was visibly thrilled to be home, and he was embraced by family on the tarmac. Later when he emerged from the arrivals area he was welcomed by a large crowd, eager to recognise the Miltown man’s achievement. Speaking to the press John said he was delighted to be back in Clare. “It’s amazing, I’ve been thinking about it since I left. There’s no place like home, I’m delighted to be back.” Reaching the earth’s summit was an unforgettable moment. “I got to stand on top of the world on May 16 at 9.45am. It was a dream of ten years for me and I was so emotional when I got to the top, I’m still emotional that I got to the top. I suppose when you chase a dream and you …

Nine prestigious International Blue Flag status has been awarded to Clare beaches, including Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggeran, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Green Coast Awards were also awarded to the beaches at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan), Seafield (Quilty) and for the first time, Ballyalla Lake. An Taisce’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards were accepted on behalf of Clare County Council by Councillor Paul Murphy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, and Claire McGrath, Clare Water Safety development officer, at a ceremony held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, County Cork today (Monday) The Blue Flag is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to over 4000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The award, which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) – represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental …

Dromoland Castle, one of the top luxury castle hotels in the world, has announced a €20 million renovation programme. The multi-award winning castle hotel’s investment programme has been planned to preserve and perfect the historical building and the 330 acres of surrounding land near Newmarket-on-Fergus. Dromoland Castle is synonymous with providing an exclusive castle experience combined with luxury five star surroundings to both Irish and international guests. Commenting on the restoration investment, Mark Nolan, managing director of Dromoland Castle, said, “ Working with the architects and conservationists, we have sought to carefully integrate any new features with the original historic structures of the castle. Many of the public rooms, such as the Drawing Room or Lower Gallery still look and feel as they would have done when Lord Inchiquin’s family lived here throughout the 1800s. “This restoration programme will combine all the modern luxuries expected of a five star property with the unique welcoming atmosphere and sense of history that …

Clare County Council is open to considering a new twining link for Ennis, according to a local councillor. Commenting on moves to officially link the county town with Ennis in Texas, USA, Mayor Ann Norton said the normal procedure is to build a relationship with a location before a decision on a more formal arrangement is made by the twinning committee. Ennis is currently twinned with Phoenix, Arizona and an official link with the Lone Star State would open possibilities for new cultural, tourism and business links between County Clare and the US. The possibility of a formal tie-up with the two towns emerged this week after Ronan Bradley from Corofin helped to arrange a visit to council headquarters by Texan County Judge Mark Riley on May 25. Having started a new Facebook page entitled Ireland’s Inner Beauty, Mr Bradley said he is looking forward to Mr Riley’s visit to the Banner County, which he hopes will be the start …

The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and Fine Gael leadership candidate Simon Coveney was flanked by party colleagues Minister of State Pat Breen, and Deputy Joe Carey at ministerial engagements in Ennis today, Friday. The Minister will later address members of Clare’s Fine Gael party at their Annual General Meeting this evening, where he will hope to secure some undecided votes in the leadership contest. As yet undeclared, Deputies Pat Breen and Joe Carey would not be drawn on their stance in favour of one candidate over the other at today’s events, and Minister Coveney said he would not ask them to publicly declare during the media questions and answers session. The first of Minister Coveney’s engagements was to visit Laurel Lodge, Clare’s only homeless hostel located on the Clare Road in Ennis. While there he met with some of the residents and discussed his leadership bid with journalists. He then went to Pairc na Coille bungalows to meet …

Revenue officers at Shannon Airport seized 1.1kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €22,000 on Thursday when, as a result of routine profiling, they stopped and searched a passenger who had arrived on a flight from Tenerife. In announcing the siezure today (Friday), Revenue said the drugs were discovered in the checked in baggage of the passenger, a 31-year-old Lithuanian man. He was arrested by gardaí and detained at Ennis Garda Station. Separately, yesterday, Revenue officers carried out a search under warrant of a house in Cahir, County Tipperary, and seized over 2,500 cigarettes, branded ‘Richman’, ‘John Bull’ and ‘M1’. The cigarettes have a retail value of almost €1,500, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of around €1,300. These operations are part of Revenue’s on going operations targeting the illegal importation, supply and sale of drugs, tobacco products and alcohol in the shadow economy. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or …

THE Clare Champion has scooped another award at the Local Ireland Media Awards, as reporter Dan Danaher’s series focusing on the EPA took the news series prize. This is the second award for The Clare Champion in the two year history of the Local Ireland Media Awards, as last year the regional newspaper took the prize for best feature article. Also nominated for an award was ‘Clare Champion reporter Peter O’Connell for his news story, Death by Geography. Over a 10 week period, Dan Danaher’s award winning news series examined the environmental compliance of 17 local companies who deal with various different types of chemicals and hazardous waste. Of those that were featured in The Clare Champion/Mary Raftery Special Investigation, 15 companies were initially granted Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) licences. The two exceptions were Enva and Clean Ireland Recycling Limited, who have waste licences. The main function of these licences is to ensure that companies, who are handling …

A contender in the race for the Fine Gael leadership, Housing Minister Simon Coveney will visit a number of sites in Ennis this afternoon (Friday). Mr Coveney will visit to Laurel Lodge, Ennis, a homeless facility, at 1pm, before moving on to Pairc na Coille Bungalows , 27 of which are leased senior citizen accommodation units. The minister’s visit to Ennis will conclude at Aisling, Shanaway Road, Ennis, to view a former unfinished estate. Twenty-three units are under construction, with a completion date of July, while a further 11 units are due to be completed by September.