News

CLARE County Council has given planning permission for the installation of a 36 metre high telecommunications mast at Inagh. The lattice mast, carrying antennas and dishes, along with associated ground-based equipment, has been given the go ahead in the townland of Formoyle in Inagh. The decision to grant planning came despite objections from some local residents. One objection stated that local people are “seriously concerned in relation to its potential impact on our properties, and our health”. “The proposed mast is also much higher than any of the high tension ESB pylons in the area and will be visually intrusive in the landscape.” The objection added, “From a health point of view our main concern is in relation to the health effects of the high level of electromagnetic radiation which will come from such a mast carrying a large number of antennas and dishes. “We also have concerns in relation to the impact of noise from the site, which is …

GLÓR’S director has said the venue are “thrilled” to be open after a “long and challenging period” due to Covid-19. The Ennis arts centre is looking ahead to offering a full programme of live, in-person performances from September. As the venue embarks on its 20th year, director Orla Flanagan has reiterated glór’s committment to supporting and developing a range of artists and with the support of the Arts Council and Creative Ireland. She said the venue was pleased to have commissioned and co-commissioned a number of projects which will come to fruition over the coming months. Ms Flanagan said, “We are thrilled to now get the show firmly back on the road at glór. It has been a long and challenging period being dark and we have given 100% to imaginatively engaging with the public and supporting artists, but we cannot wait to share the magic of the live experience again. We now know there is nothing quite like it.” …

THE pedestrianisation of Ennis’ town centre is set to be rolled back from the end of this month with vehicular traffic restrictions to finish by September 30. The Temporary Covid-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Plan taskforce has been dissolved. This comes following a meeting of the taskforce earlier this month during which a review of the current implementation of the plan took place. Based on their assessment and taking into account current public health guidelines, children returning to school, and facilitating outdoor dining, an exit strategy from the plan was agreed. With effect from August 30, current restrictions on vehicular traffic will be lifted within the town centre on Abbey and O’Connell Streets, with some exceptions for the next month. These are Monday-Friday, 11am to 2pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. From September 30, all restrictions will be lifted. In Lower Parnell Street, the current road closure will also apply until September 30. A spokesperson for Clare County Council …

A DIRECTOR of Services with Clare County Council has been ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Cloyne. Leonard Cleary, who is Director of Rural Development and responsible for the West Clare Municipal District, is now a permanent deacon, assigned to minister in the Parish of Charleville in north County Cork. Mr Cleary who is from Corofin and a very popular member of staff at the local authority in Clare, served as a pastoral assistant in Charleville for some time before his ordination on Sunday August 15. In his capacity as pastoral assistant, Mr Cleary has assisted in preparation for the sacraments and addressed the parents of the Confirmation and First Holy Communion children. He has read the Sacred Scriptures at Mass, acted as Minister of the Eucharist and collected. Mr Cleary also attended all the meetings of the Charleville Pastoral Council until the pandemic came along. Last year, Mr Cleary was made an acolyte of the Diocese of Cloyne, …

With no immediate pressure for the main protagonists, the Junior A Hurling Championship probably won’t kick into gear until the knock-out stages. After all, with only four sides exiting the competition following the group stages, it will be difficult to truly assess the main contenders for O’Callaghan’s Mills title. However, after a number of barren seasons, there is renewed hope that a first team can finally claim the Junior honours, with Ogonnelloe’s recent Division 3 League success putting the East Clare side in pole position to achieve that goal. Only three flagship sides have won this championship in the past two decades – Ennistymon (2004), Meelick (2007) and Bodyke (2017), with Ogonnelloe’s last title coming 33 years ago. They are expected to be vying for the crown with the Banner who after gaining promotion to the intermediate ranks in football, will be determined to do likewise in the hurling equivalent. Ennistymon still remain an unknown quantity while the best of …

Split decision by Council denies Braids development permission to increase size THE developers of a primary health care facility in Ennis have been refused planning permission to increase its size. Concerns the proposal would “endanger public safety” and “seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity”, have lead to a split decision by Clare County Council. The local authority approved some aspects and refused others in the planning application made by Philip Doyle, on behalf of Valley Healthcare Fund Infrastructure Investment Fund ICAV, to revise and amend planning permission already granted for a mixed use development at the former Braids factory site on Station Road. The new proposals were the subject of a number of objections from local residents voicing concern about the size of the development among other issues. The application had sought to increase the floor area of the four-storey primary care health facility and ancillary commercial units from 7,250sqm to 8,008sqm with the provision of an …

THE RNLI helped five people in difficulty in two back-to-back calls on Lough Derg this week. The first incident saw Valentia Coast Guard request Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a person on a 30ft cruiser reported aground close to Mountshannon Harbour at the south-west of Lough Derg. At 11.40am the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Owen Cavanagh, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. Shortly afterwards the lifeboat was in sight of the casualty vessel which was aground on a sandbar in the bay east of Mountshannon Harbour. The lifeboat took frequent soundings on a cautious approach to the casualty vessel, located in an area known for its sudden shallows. At 12.11pm the lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel and the skipper was found to be safe and unharmed and wearing his lifejacket. An RNLI volunteer was transferred across to the cruiser. Given the location of the boat close to a navigation channel …

After graciously accommodating Clonlara’s request to switch Round 2 and 3 of the Group of Death following the wedding of Clare captain John Conlon and former Clare camogie player Michelle Caulfield on Monday, Clonlara now have a bye this weekend as Group 1 heats up further. Whitegate v Kilmaley at Cusack Park, Ennis Friday, 6.30pm C Maguire Having failed to maintain their bright opening half display against Inagh-Kilnamona, it’s now must-win territory for Kilmaley who simply cannot afford another set-back in the dreaded group of five. Getting back on the horse shouldn’t be an issue as Kilmaley, showed plenty of promise last Saturday at the same venue, without ever piecing together the consistency required to get the better of their neighbours. A fresh Whitegate will be determined to make a big impact in the championship bow and pour more misery over Kilmaley. And while they might have preferred to take Kilmaley out of the park, Whitegate did push champions Sixmilebridge …