Environment

YOUNG people with designs on helping to tackle the climate crisis are being offered a stylish opportunity in the Junction, Ennis which will see them set the trend for a more sustainable future. Clothes production is a major contributor to excessive energy use and Clare Youth Service, with the assistance of Youth Work Ireland’s Climate Justice Fund and Councillor Mary Howard, are now in a position to offer training to young people in reducing carbon footprint through sustainable fashion techniques. Having attended Sustainable Fashion workshops delivered by the Rediscovery Centre, CYS staff have rolled out programmes to young people at the Junction in Ennis as well as in Shannon. Two Sustainable Fashion Projects were recently run in the Junction Youth and Community building in which 12 young people had the opportunity to learn more about the impact of fast fashion and the importance of sustainable fashion. They acquired skills, knowledge and tools needed to upcycle, repair, alter and customize their own clothes. …

A TEMPORARY prohibition on swimming at a west Clare bathing area has been lifted following consultation with the HSE. Following improved bacterial results the temporary prohibition on swimming that had been in place at Cappagh bathing area has been lifted as of 11am Friday, June 17. Lifeguarded hours at Cappagh are 11am-7pm weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) in June; daily starting June 27 to August 31; and the first two weekends in September (3-4 and 10-11). Clare County Council has advised that the safest place to swim is at lifeguarded locations. For further information, contact Clare County Council environment section on (065) 6846331 / enviroff@clarecoco.ie and visit www.beaches.ie.

Clonlara Development Association has erected a new Biodiversity information board at the entrance of the Errina canal and the Lough Derg Way in the centre of the village.  The Errina Canal, part of the Limerick Navigation system, was built in the late eighteenth-century and this canal also forms part of the East Clare way. This walkway continues to be enjoyed by multiple generations and is now more accessible following recent upgrades in terms of gravel pathways and swing gates. Research and the development of the information board before funding was secured was completed by Colm Honan, Maire Ní Ghráda and Peggy Ryan. Colm and Peggy recently completed the course “Be a Leader for Biodiversity in your community”. The information board is seen as the first step in building awareness around the diverse ecosystem along the Errina canal but also educating everyone in the community. The canal and its bank are home to a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. The …

THE chair of Clare Labour is among objectors to plans for the construction of housing in Lahinch, saying the proposal should be refused until the local sewage treatment system is improved. John Talty Construction Ltd has applied to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a development of eight houses, comprising six detached and two semi-detached homes together with all associated site development works, wastewater pre-treatment and connections to public services at Cill Stuifin, School Road, Attycristora, Lahinch. Objecting to the plans, Denis Vaughan who in January was elected chair of the Labour Party in Clare, argues, “There are reports of people swimming at that place becoming ill because of untreated sewage in the water. “For that reason permission should be refused until the sewage treatment system is improved. I also believe the Lahinch water supply is inadequate and that is another reason to believe the application must be rejected at this time.” He outlines that a recent application …

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed it doesn’t have a direct enforcement role concerning an installation or activity that is not subject to a licence issued by the agency. Responding to Clare Champion queries, the EPA recalled it received a complaint raising planning and environmental concerns about Burrenside Oil in September 2020. The EPA acknowledged receipt of the complaint and informed the complainant that Clare County Council has responsibility for dealing with the planning and environmental protection concerns described in the correspondence. The EPA also informed the complainant that it had reviewed the documents submitted and noted that the substantive complaint was one of alleged unauthorised development. It stated that it does not have a role in enforcing application of the planning and development legislation or the enforcement of planning permission conditions. After obtaining permission for GDPR compliance purposes, the EPA referred the complaint to Clare County Council for their investigation and action as appropriate in relation to the …

Clare County Council, on the advice of the HSE has placed a temporary prohibition on swimming in Cappagh due to elevated bacterial levels. Ongoing motoring is being undertaken and the prohibition on swimming will be removed when bacterial levels recede to acceptable levels. The elevated bacterial levels are as a result of turbulent sea conditions which occurred over the weekend. The Council advises that people should not swim there until further notice.

FOLLOWING a series of false dawns, it looks like works are finally on track to replace a 40-year-old sewerage treatment plant in South-East Clare that is causing foul odours for local residents. Householders in Ballycannon Heights, Meelick, have campaigned for years to get Clare County Council, and in more recent years Irish Water, to replace a waste water treatment plant that is no longer fit for purpose. Responding to Clare Champion queries, Irish Water confirmed land acquisition for this project is underway and it is expected that a CPO will be submitted in the coming weeks. “The construction start date will be subject to the completion of this process and planning approval,” said an Irish Water spokesman. Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is insisting that works to put in place a proper wastewater treatment plant for Ballycannon Heights should be separated from the ongoing Limerick Northern Distributor Road project. Temporary infrastructure was put in place back in the …

LAST month was the third warmest May on record in Ireland, and Shannon saw the highest temperatures in the country during it. Shannon had an average temperature of 13.1 degrees celsius for the month, the highest of all the Met Éireann weather stations  in Ireland. It also had the highest temperature recorded in Ireland, when the mercury reached 21 degrees on May 28. Rainfall in Shannon was 20% below average for the month, while there were 175.8 hours of sunshine, just below the town’s long term average.  The Met Éireann summary of the month said, “May was a warm, relatively dry month overall, with the airflow mostly between southerly and westerly. “High pressure to the south and east of Ireland dominated at times, interspersed with periods where low pressure to the west and north west brought bands of rain or showers across the country.  “The first week saw frontal rain in the South and East at first, followed by drier …