News

PLANS for the development of a new supermarket in Sixmilebridge have been put on hold by Clare County Council. The site for the proposed supermarket is the old Arch Ballroom, a famous dance hall in the showband era. It was converted to an auction rooms as well as a cinema on the first floor in the nineties. The local authority has requested the developer to submit a substantial amount of new information about the impact of the plan on what is a protected structure in the village. This comes after five residents sent in submissions to the local planning authority supporting the new development. JCCMC Limited Ballybunion has lodged a planning application seeking permission to change the use of the Auction Room to a new supermarket including a retail area, café, off-licence, store, goods loading area, as well as elevation changes to the existing building. In its request for Further Information, the planning authority has asked the applicant to submit …

The first passengers to fly from Shannon to Paris Orly on the new Vueling service today were treated to a taste of France at the departure gate area before they boarded. Freshly made crêpes by a French chef were served in celebration of the new service, along with a Parisian-themed cake to celebrate the launch of the twice weekly service which will operate on Mondays and Fridays from today.   There was an air of excitement at the departures gate for passengers bound for Orly Airport, as the first flight to Paris took off for the city of lights.   Shannon’s new carrier Vueling is part of the IAG group that owns Aer Lingus. Orly Airport is the nearest airport to the centre of Paris, just 13km from the city. It is the second largest airport in France and provides onward connections to major European cities and Middle Eastern countries.  Minister of State for Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “I am delighted to be …

A GoFundMe campaign for a young Clare mother battling cancer has raised over €57,000. Carine Heffernan (nee O’Loughlin) who is originally from Kilnaboy but now living in Gort has been battling bone cancer throughout her 30s. On the fundraising page, Carine explained that she had first got the devastating news that she had osteosarcoma, cancer of the bone, in her right ankle, aged 30. “Like anyone heading into their 30s I had my whole life ahead of me and instead I ended up having my leg amputated below the knee to save my life,” she wrote. “I met my husband Stefan thereafter, who is the love of my life and even more amazingly I fell pregnant even though I was told I would never get pregnant due to the extensive treatment of chemo I received, but we defied the odds and James was born.” Unfortunately the cancer returned some years later at the age of 38 and it had spread …

THE Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Clare has launched its third level Education and Training Bursary for 2022/23. The Bursary will support Clare students of all ages who may be struggling financially to access or stay in third-level education and training programmes Denis Carty, SVP Clare Area Council President said, “SVP recognises the importance of education at all levels. However, for many people accessibility and affordability are real barriers to obtaining a third level education and training. “In the last few years, Clare SVP has dealt will many students from different backgrounds whose grant payments are simply not enough to cover accommodation costs, let alone the addition costs of food, travel and books. This had been made worse by the current rental and cost of living crises.” Last year Clare SVP spent almost €60,000 on helping individuals and families realise their potential. Mr Carty gave a number of examples of how students, both first time and mature, …

THE WORLD famous Aga Khan trophy will be in Tuamgraney this Wednesday, September 14, to mark the role of local man, Michael Blake, in leading Team Ireland to victory in The Nations Cup at the RDS last month. The prestigious trophy was presented to Chef d’Équipe, Michael, and his team, by President Michael D Higgins in August. It followed a cliff-hanger jump-off against France in front of a capacity audience at the RDS. The win saw the return of the Aga Khan Cup to Ireland after a seven-year gap. This Wednesday evening, Michael will be joined by some of his team members, as well as representatives of the RDS and Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) for a civic ceremony, from 6 to 8pm, at The East Clare Memorial Park in Tuamgraney. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Tony O’Brien will officiate, and attendees are likely to include many of Clare’s Oireachtas members and local representatives. Despite the intensive security that surrounds …

A SPECIAL documentary programme will be aired next Monday, September 12, remembering a much missed hero of Clare. The programme celebrating the life of Catriona Lucas, comes on the sixth anniversary of her death while performing her duties as a member of the Coast Guard. On September 12, 2016, the tragic news broke that a rigid inflatable boat had capsized near cliffs in a heavy Atlantic swell in Kilkee. As details of the incident became clearer, it emerged that the rib was an Irish Coast Guard search and rescue boat. The three Irish Coast Guard volunteers on board were thrown from the vessel into the sea. Two Kilkee-based members of the volunteer service were subsequently rescued during a major multi-agency operation however, news of the third person, Caitriona, from Liscannor, an experienced volunteer with the Coast Guard unit based in Doolin, was not so good. Caitriona was recovered unconscious from the water and airlifted to hospital as attempts were continued …

THREE students from Clare will participate in the prestigious Worldskills Ireland competition, nest week competing against over 180 other young people from across the country. The three students competing are Willow Swire from Kilrush who was selected to compete in Butchery; Ciara Breen from Kilrush will be competing in Digital Infrastructure and Aaron O’Halloran from Tulla who is competing in Polymechanics. The trio will participate in a range of skills-based trades including automation, robotics, constructions skills and culinary arts at the RDS in Dublin. Having fought off tough competition to secure a place in the national finals, the three skilled young students and apprentices will compete in front of over 15,000 visitors at WorldSkills Ireland – the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships, and careers event. Needed now more than ever, Worldskills Ireland 2022 – taking place from 13 – 15 September – is an event designed to promote skills, apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people. The event allows students, …

A POPULAR Lahinch hotel has applied for planning permission for a new bar and restaurant. An application has been lodged with Clare County Council, seeking permission for alterations at the Lahinch Coast Hotel. Blue Chip Investments Limited has made the application, and a letter accompanying it says, “The subject site is situated in Lahinch town centre, with the premises formerly in use as a nightclub which formed part of the Lahinch Coast Hotel. “Despite its prominent town centre location, the premises has remained vacant for over ten years, which has negatively impacted the vibrancy, viability and economy of the wider town centre.” It says the development would include “the demolition of a portion of the buildings northern facade to accommodate the provision of an outdoor dining area and other elevational changes including ancillary awning, service/plant equipment at roof level and fenestration changes.” It said that the layout of the bar/restaurant had been designed by Paul Haffey Design, whose previous projects …