News

SAINT Clare’s school in Ennis has been given the go-ahead to open two additional classes in September 2021 and again in 2022. Principal John Murphy has said this is “wonderful news” for the school. “The ongoing engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Department of Education has been very positive and confirms that St Clare’s school remains a first choice of parents for children with additional needs,” he said. St Clare’s school has grown and developed significantly in the last two years increasing the roll from 54 two years ago to 83 in September 2021 and is projected to hit 100 learners in 2022. Mr Murphy said that this “is a great tribute to the staff at school who are touching the future everyday and dealing with young people’s dreams”. “This welcome news arrived at the same time as the award of the school’s Amber Flag, Active Flag and a forth Green Flag rounding off a …

THE ESB has unveiled plans for the proposed development of a “world-class” visitor attraction at Ardnacrusha Power Station, writes Dan Danaher. Clare’s Dáil deputies have received a briefing on the project on Tuesday where it was confirmed the ESB is currently undertaking a feasibility study to establish the business case for a visitor experience at the site of Ireland’s first electricity generating station. The plan includes a 360-degree virtual amphitheatre, a café, which will offer sustainable locally sourced food, a retail unit hosting local artisan crafts and products, and family oriented outdoor spaces. Comprising five floor floors, the attraction seeks to inspire and educate through social, engineering, architecture and STEAM-related stories and interactive exhibits. ESB first began facilitating public tours of its Ardnacrusha Power Station in June 1928, and welcomed more than 85,000 visitors within the first nine months. To mark the 90th anniversary of its foundation, ESB revived this tradition in 2017 when visitors were welcomed to the Ardnacrusha …

BUSINESSES in Lisdoonvarna has confirmed they are still open and will continue to trade next September, despite the cancellation of the popular matchmaking festival for the second year in a row. Lynn Connolly, who runs the Rathbawn Hotel, asked if Tesco decided to pull out of Ennis, would people say Ennis is closing for shopping? Acknowledging a marquee will not be permitted to operate this year due to Covid-19 restrictions on large crowds, she believes it was unfair to other business to cancel the entire festival for the second year in a row. She said businesses don’t know if they will be allowed to host musicians yet. “Musicians are booked and are rearing to go. We are in limbo, which is fine under the circumstances, as we all have to stay safe. “We can’t say whether we will have music. We want to have a good September, but we have to follow the government guidelines.” She said businesses were not …

ONE lucky Lotto player in Clare struck it rich this weekend, winning €1 million in Saturday night’s draw. Daily Million players in Clare are being urged to check their tickets carefully after a lucky player in the Banner scooped the top prize. The newly minted millionaire player selected their own numbers on a Normal Play ticket they purchased online on the day of the draw at www.lottery.ie. The National Lottery has confirmed that a notification to the user’s online account and a separate email has now been sent to the lucky ticket holder in the Banner who is encouraged to get in touch to begin the process of claiming their prize. A player has won the #DailyMillion top prize of €1 Million in tonight’s draw! ✨#ItCouldBeYou pic.twitter.com/kxztlMjm8f — The Irish National Lottery (@NationalLottery) June 26, 2021 The winning numbers for last night’s (Saturday June 26) 9pm draw were: 06, 12, 18, 34, 35, 36 and the bonus 39. Daily Million …

A CLARE farm leader has taken issue with comments made by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Pippa Hackett, over controversial proposals to address Climate Change. In an interview with The Clare Champion, Minister Hackett said Ireland has to meet its Climate Change targets under the Paris Agreement and couldn’t control what happens in Brazil, which has to meet its own environmental obligations. “Ireland has to do what we can. Using Carbon Leakage not to take any action is a waste of time in my book and the government’s book, I am discounting that. “Ireland’s grasslands are a net emitter of carbon. We farm on a lot of peaty soils. When that is drained, that emits carbon. I think over the last 15 years we probably have lost more hedgerows than we have planted.” However, her comments have been challenged by Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) general secretary, Eddie Punch. Minister Hackett believes there is probably …

Local company grateful for support from community and organisations for three-night production. CONFINED and restricted for so long, Muse Productions focused on what they could do rather than what they couldn’t, and gave an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on last Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at the Town Park. Attendance each night was capped at 100, and thankfully the weather was dry. “It went really, really well. There was a great turnout, the weather held off for us, so yeah, we were blessed,” said Martin McNeilis, who played Oberon in the production, while his wife and three children also had roles in it. “Obviously Covid regulations allow for 50 indoors and 100 outdoors, so we cordoned off a section of the park and we only allowed 100 people in. “Some people passed by, or hung around, or stood by and watched a bit and moved on, but the audience was 100,” said Martin. The play was stripped …

THE green light has been given for traffic calming measures to be introduced in Ennis at a location where cars are travelling at speeds “way past any acceptable level”. A special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard details of the proposed works at Cappahard on the Tulla Road and a local route known as The Lane. The project involves the construction of a new footpath from Cappahard Lane to where it meets the Tulla Road. Works will include the installation of kerbing and tarmac footpath, dished kerbing, tactile paving, signage, road gullies and the installation of drainage pipes. The plans also include road markings, and additional ducts for eight lighting lamp standards. The project went out to public consultation and four submissions were received. Among the submissions there were calls for signage to denote ‘Children at Play’ with one stating, “There are some cars which travel at speed which would be way past any acceptable level.” Councillor Johnny Flynn …

Councillor says more proactive approach would help tackle dereliction REMEDIAL work to a dangerous building on Main Street in Tulla is expected to begin at the start of July, prompting hopes that disruption for pedestrians and motorists will come to an end in a matter of weeks. In April, Clare County Council issued a ‘Dangerous Structures Notice’ to the owner of the vacant building, ordering them to address safety concerns. The authority closed off a section of the footpath and put a temporary traffic management system in place in the interests of public safety. The arrangement has been the source of considerable annoyance locally, particularly as the matter continued to drag on into the summer. “People are very put out about this,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “They’re particularly annoyed at the fact the situation has been allowed to continue for so long. “You have (heavy goods vehicles) HGVs coming through town, from the Gort side, to do their essential deliveries …