News

Promote, promote, promote and do more for free.  That’s just one of the many suggestions floated by a members of the tourism industry as a means to attract more visitors to Clare.The suggestion to allow free entry to more visitor attractions was included among the responses to the Clare Tourism Survey 2010, which was conducted and compiled by Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen.Another proposal was for the region to pay a retainer to an experienced professional, for example in Manchester, who would agree as part of a deal to promote Shannon. If this worked, it could be rolled out to other cities.Duty Breen’s survey revealed that almost 90% of respondents experienced a decrease in visitor numbers in 2010 compared to 2009 and 45% cited the loss or reductions in flights at Shannon as the main reason for this decrease in business.The survey was undertaken among all Fáilte Ireland registered B&Bs and all hotel and guesthouses registered with the Irish Hotels …

UNTIL recent times in Ireland, it was the community midwives who were entrusted as the ‘baby-catchers’, their hands welcoming almost everyone into the world.A new film about the transition of midwifery in Ireland will be shown in Ennis this Friday as a fundraiser for the Community Midwives Association and Clare Birth Choice.The screening of Natural Traditions, will take place in Glór on Friday at 7.30pm. The film charts the changing role of the midwife in Ireland from independent community-based midwives in the early years of the state to hospital based from 1950s onwards. “It is full of incredible birth stories and insights from mothers, midwives and academics. At present, Ireland has 17 community midwives who offer women the choice of a home birth. The community midwife provides ongoing continuous support for women during pregnancy that engenders confidence and this confidence helps when it is time to give birth,” said Martina Hynan of Clare Birth Choice. Funds raised from ticket sales …

VAST changes are likely in the political representation of East Galway after two stalwarts of the constituency and Fine Gael announced they do not plan to run in the upcoming General Election.Deputies Paul Connnaughton and Ulick Burke both confirmed their retirements in the past week. “I have served in politics since 1974 and was elected to Dáil Éireann in 2007. Now that I have reached retirement age, I feel that it is the right time for me to step aside and let a younger generation carry the torch for the constituents in Galway East. It has been a privilege and an honour to serve the people of Galway East for the last 36 years. I deeply appreciate the trust they placed in me,” Deputy Burke stated. He also paid tribute to his family, friends, colleagues and staff who helped him throughout his career. “It is with regret that I am leaving politics before Fine Gael has the opportunity to get …

Mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin this week formally opened two water services schemes in the North and East of the county.The schemes in Corofin and Tulla consist of new wastewater treatment plants in addition to new and upgraded water supply and storm water infrastructure.“The improvements are most welcome and will provide a platform for future development in these historic towns. In particular the improvements will benefit and enhance the local environment providing protection and capacity for future generations,” Mayor Curtin said. Mayor Curtin went on to say that the projects were testament to what could be achieved with well-supervised, minimum resources. County Manager Tom Coughlan also attended Friday’s openings.“I am delighted that Clare County Council has been able to deliver such important infrastructural investment to the county during the past number of years in particular. The financial commitment of the authority towards these two schemes is also evident given that over half the combined cost of €7 million has …

IT’S game on. The 2011 General Election campaign is up and running even though the polling date could be anywhere between Christmas and the end of March.

TWENTY-ONE gardaí in the Clare Garda Division have applied for retirement and could be gone by December 31. In confirming this, Clare Garda Chief Superintendent John Kerin said the figure represents approximately 15% of the entire force in Clare.

SHANNON Airport Authority chairman, Brian O’Connell said talks on the provision of a Lynxs cargo facility at the airport should be completed soon. He also said the developmentof a cargo facility has the potential to generate up to 5,000 jobs.